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 Cooloongup, accounting for 49.6% (3,322 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (50.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,181 people and 13.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cooloongup - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cooloongup in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cooloongup, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,322
% of total
49.6%
Change from 2016
+13.2pp
3,322
49.6%
+13.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
867
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-8.5pp
867
12.9%
-8.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
823
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
823
12.3%
-6.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
581
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
581
8.7%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
191
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
191
2.9%
+1.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
119
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
119
1.8%
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
101
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
101
1.5%
-3.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
86
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
86
1.3%
-
Baptist
2021 count
84
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
84
1.3%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
61
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
61
0.9%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,181
+13.2pp
Western Catholic
+784
-8.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+752
-6.0pp
Not stated
+546
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+184
+1.1pp
Presbyterian
+111
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
+82
-3.4pp
Baptist
+78
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+51
-0.9pp
Paganism
+8
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Cooloongup. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 3,322 | 49.6% | 50.1% | 141 | 36.4% | 37.0% | +3,181 | +13.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 867 | 12.9% | 15.0% | 83 | 21.4% | 17.7% | +784 | -8.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 823 | 12.3% | 12.1% | 71 | 18.3% | 17.7% | +752 | -6.0pp |
| Not stated | 581 | 8.7% | 6.9% | 35 | 9.0% | 9.7% | +546 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 191 | 2.9% | 3.5% | 7 | 1.8% | 3.6% | +184 | +1.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 119 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 8 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +111 | -0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 101 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 19 | 4.9% | 2.2% | +82 | -3.4pp |
| Buddhism | 86 | 1.3% | 0.9% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Baptist | 84 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 6 | 1.6% | 1.6% | +78 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 61 | 0.9% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Total | 6,696 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 387 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,309 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.