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 Northam (S), accounting for 41.6% (4,720 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,477 people and 12.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Northam (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Northam (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northam (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,720
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
4,720
41.6%
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,939
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
1,939
17.1%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,539
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,539
13.6%
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,420
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
1,420
12.5%
-5.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
326
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
326
2.9%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
226
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
226
2.0%
-1.0pp
Brethren
2021 count
140
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
140
1.2%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
130
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
130
1.1%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
112
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
112
1.0%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
105
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
105
0.9%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,477
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
-308
-3.1pp
Not stated
-128
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-584
-5.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+33
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-104
-1.0pp
Brethren
-8
-0.1pp
Baptist
-26
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-21
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-46
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Northam (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 | 4,720 | 41.6% | 45.6% | 3,243 | 29.2% | 33.8% | +1,477 | +12.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,939 | 17.1% | 15.7% | 2,247 | 20.2% | 19.3% | -308 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,539 | 13.6% | 12.1% | 1,667 | 15.0% | 12.4% | -128 | -1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,420 | 12.5% | 11.3% | 2,004 | 18.0% | 16.4% | -584 | -5.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 326 | 2.9% | 3.2% | 293 | 2.6% | 3.3% | +33 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 226 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 330 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -104 | -1.0pp |
| Brethren | 140 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 148 | 1.3% | 0.1% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 130 | 1.1% | 1.6% | 156 | 1.4% | 1.8% | -26 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 112 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 133 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -21 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 105 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 151 | 1.4% | 1.4% | -46 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 11,345 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,110 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +235 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.