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
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Brethren
Baptist
Jehovah's Witnesses
Presbyterian
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.