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 Golden Bay, accounting for 54.7% (3,102 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (50.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,595 people and 15 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Golden Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Golden Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Golden Bay, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,102
% of total
54.7%
Change from 2016
+15.0pp
3,102
54.7%
+15.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
808
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
808
14.3%
-5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
532
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
532
9.4%
-5.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
356
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
356
6.3%
-3.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
239
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
239
4.2%
-1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
85
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
85
1.5%
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
70
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
70
1.2%
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
66
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
66
1.2%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
60
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
60
1.1%
-0.9pp
Islam
2021 count
49
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
49
0.9%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,595
+15.0pp
Western Catholic
+67
-5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-36
-5.6pp
Not stated
-6
-3.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+38
-1.1pp
Baptist
+40
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+37
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
+27
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-17
-0.9pp
Islam
+32
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Golden Bay. 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 | 3,102 | 54.7% | 50.1% | 1,507 | 39.7% | 37.0% | +1,595 | +15.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 808 | 14.3% | 15.0% | 741 | 19.5% | 17.7% | +67 | -5.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 532 | 9.4% | 12.1% | 568 | 15.0% | 17.7% | -36 | -5.6pp |
| Not stated | 356 | 6.3% | 6.9% | 362 | 9.5% | 9.7% | -6 | -3.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 239 | 4.2% | 3.5% | 201 | 5.3% | 3.6% | +38 | -1.1pp |
| Baptist | 85 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 45 | 1.2% | 1.6% | +40 | +0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 70 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 33 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +37 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 66 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 39 | 1.0% | 1.7% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 60 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 77 | 2.0% | 2.2% | -17 | -0.9pp |
| Islam | 49 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +32 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,666 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,794 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,872 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.