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, accounting for 44.4% (1,164 people). This share was higher than Merredin (S) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 151 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Merredin - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Merredin in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Merredin (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merredin, with comparison markers for Merredin (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,164
% of total
44.4%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
1,164
44.4%
+7.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
423
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
423
16.1%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
311
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
311
11.9%
+2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
302
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
302
11.5%
-4.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
89
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
89
3.4%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
67
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
67
2.6%
-1.3pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
63
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
63
2.4%
+0.9pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
2021 count
47
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
47
1.8%
-0.1pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
20
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
20
0.8%
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
19
0.7%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+107
+7.2pp
Western Catholic
-151
-4.1pp
Not stated
+39
+2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-147
-4.3pp
Uniting Church
-29
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-44
-1.3pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+20
+0.9pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
-7
-0.1pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+6
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-18
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Merredin. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Merredin (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Merredin (S)% | Count | % | Merredin (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,164 | 44.4% | 43.0% | 1,057 | 37.2% | 35.3% | +107 | +7.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 423 | 16.1% | 15.6% | 574 | 20.2% | 20.3% | -151 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 311 | 11.9% | 12.9% | 272 | 9.6% | 10.0% | +39 | +2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 302 | 11.5% | 11.5% | 449 | 15.8% | 16.3% | -147 | -4.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 89 | 3.4% | 4.1% | 118 | 4.2% | 5.3% | -29 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 67 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 111 | 3.9% | 3.7% | -44 | -1.3pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 63 | 2.4% | 2.5% | 43 | 1.5% | 2.1% | +20 | +0.9pp |
| Churches of Christ (Conference) | 47 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 54 | 1.9% | 1.7% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 20 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 14 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 19 | 0.7% | 1.0% | 37 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 2,621 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,843 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.