Cultural diversity
Religion
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Merredin (S), accounting for 43% (1,347 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 188 people and 4.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Merredin (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Merredin (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merredin (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,347
% of total
43.0%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
1,347
43.0%
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
490
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
490
15.6%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
403
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
403
12.9%
+2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
359
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
359
11.5%
-4.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
128
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
128
4.1%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
84
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
84
2.7%
-1.0pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
78
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
78
2.5%
+0.4pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
2021 count
54
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
54
1.7%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
32
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
32
1.0%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
28
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
28
0.9%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+170
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
-188
-4.7pp
Not stated
+70
+2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-184
-4.8pp
Uniting Church
-50
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-39
-1.0pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+9
+0.4pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
-2
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-11
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+11
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Merredin (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,347 | 43.0% | 45.6% | 1,177 | 35.3% | 33.8% | +170 | +7.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 490 | 15.6% | 15.7% | 678 | 20.3% | 19.3% | -188 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 403 | 12.9% | 12.1% | 333 | 10.0% | 12.4% | +70 | +2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 359 | 11.5% | 11.3% | 543 | 16.3% | 16.4% | -184 | -4.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 128 | 4.1% | 2.1% | 178 | 5.3% | 3.2% | -50 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 84 | 2.7% | 3.2% | 123 | 3.7% | 3.3% | -39 | -1.0pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 78 | 2.5% | 0.4% | 69 | 2.1% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Churches of Christ (Conference) | 54 | 1.7% | 0.3% | 56 | 1.7% | 0.4% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 32 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 43 | 1.3% | 1.4% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 28 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +11 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 3,131 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,332 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.