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 Murray (S), accounting for 48.5% (8,768 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,181 people and 15 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Murray (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Murray (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Murray (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,768
% of total
48.5%
Change from 2016
+15.0pp
8,768
48.5%
+15.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,827
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-7.0pp
2,827
15.6%
-7.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,520
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
2,520
13.9%
-4.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,568
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,568
8.7%
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
412
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
412
2.3%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
410
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
410
2.3%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
318
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
318
1.8%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
225
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
225
1.2%
-0.6pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
186
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
186
1.0%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
125
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
125
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,181
+15.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-944
-7.0pp
Western Catholic
-496
-4.2pp
Not stated
-129
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-103
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-35
-0.4pp
Baptist
+12
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-77
-0.6pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-7
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Murray (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 | 8,768 | 48.5% | 45.6% | 5,587 | 33.5% | 33.8% | +3,181 | +15.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,827 | 15.6% | 11.3% | 3,771 | 22.6% | 16.4% | -944 | -7.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,520 | 13.9% | 15.7% | 3,016 | 18.1% | 19.3% | -496 | -4.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,568 | 8.7% | 12.1% | 1,697 | 10.2% | 12.4% | -129 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 412 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 515 | 3.1% | 3.2% | -103 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 410 | 2.3% | 3.2% | 445 | 2.7% | 3.3% | -35 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 318 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 306 | 1.8% | 1.8% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 225 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 302 | 1.8% | 1.4% | -77 | -0.6pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 186 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 193 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 125 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 123 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 18,065 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,681 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,384 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.