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 Rockingham (C), accounting for 50.1% (67,947 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (41.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 21,677 people and 13.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Rockingham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Rockingham (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Rockingham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.

Rockingham (C)
Greater Perth

No Religion, so described

2021 count

67,947

% of total

50.1%

Change from 2016

+13.1pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

20,320

% of total

15.0%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

16,392

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

-5.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

9,382

% of total

6.9%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

4,785

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Baptist

2021 count

2,061

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

1,939

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

1,610

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Buddhism

2021 count

1,245

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

1,189

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Religion for Rockingham (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.

Religion for Rockingham (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Religion for Rockingham (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Perth%Count%Greater Perth%Countpp
No Religion, so described67,94750.1%41.8%46,27037.0%32.1%+21,677+13.1pp
Western Catholic20,32015.0%19.4%22,13217.7%22.0%-1,812-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia16,39212.1%9.9%22,17017.7%13.8%-5,778-5.6pp
Not stated9,3826.9%6.2%12,1119.7%9.1%-2,729-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd4,7853.5%3.4%4,5503.6%3.4%+235-0.1pp
Baptist2,0611.5%1.6%1,9441.6%1.7%+117-0.1pp
Uniting Church1,9391.4%1.5%2,7912.2%2.0%-852-0.8pp
Presbyterian1,6101.2%1.2%2,1591.7%1.6%-549-0.5pp
Buddhism1,2450.9%2.5%1,2411.0%2.5%+4-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd1,1890.9%1.1%1,0910.9%1.0%+980.0pp
Total135,654100.0%100.0%125,086100.0%100.0%+10,5680.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.