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 Perth (C), accounting for 43.2% (12,309 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (41.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,855 people and 9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Perth (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Perth (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Perth (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Hinduism
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Baptist
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,855
+9.0pp
Western Catholic
+538
-2.1pp
Not stated
-919
-7.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+147
-1.1pp
Buddhism
+296
0.0pp
Hinduism
+405
+0.5pp
Islam
+466
+0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+283
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
+33
-0.2pp
Baptist
+95
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Perth (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 12,309 | 43.2% | 41.8% | 7,454 | 34.2% | 32.1% | +4,855 | +9.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,297 | 15.1% | 19.4% | 3,759 | 17.2% | 22.0% | +538 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,184 | 11.2% | 6.2% | 4,103 | 18.8% | 9.1% | -919 | -7.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,601 | 5.6% | 9.9% | 1,454 | 6.7% | 13.8% | +147 | -1.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,287 | 4.5% | 2.5% | 991 | 4.5% | 2.5% | +296 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,274 | 4.5% | 2.3% | 869 | 4.0% | 1.9% | +405 | +0.5pp |
| Islam | 1,183 | 4.2% | 3.0% | 717 | 3.3% | 2.4% | +466 | +0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 804 | 2.8% | 3.4% | 521 | 2.4% | 3.4% | +283 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 297 | 1.0% | 1.5% | 264 | 1.2% | 2.0% | +33 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 291 | 1.0% | 1.6% | 196 | 0.9% | 1.7% | +95 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 28,466 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,807 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,659 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.