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 Stirling (C), accounting for 37% (83,770 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (41.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 23,484 people and 8.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Stirling (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Stirling (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Stirling (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
83,770
% of total
37.0%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
83,770
37.0%
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
52,385
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
52,385
23.1%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
18,154
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
18,154
8.0%
-2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
13,384
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
13,384
5.9%
-3.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
8,682
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
8,682
3.8%
+0.7pp
Islam
2021 count
8,339
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
8,339
3.7%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
6,608
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
6,608
2.9%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
6,122
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
6,122
2.7%
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,459
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,459
1.5%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,105
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,105
1.4%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+23,484
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
-1,511
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,867
-2.5pp
Not stated
-5,664
-3.2pp
Buddhism
+2,150
+0.7pp
Islam
+1,216
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+637
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+762
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
-85
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-820
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Stirling (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 | 83,770 | 37.0% | 41.8% | 60,286 | 28.7% | 32.1% | +23,484 | +8.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 52,385 | 23.1% | 19.4% | 53,896 | 25.6% | 22.0% | -1,511 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 18,154 | 8.0% | 9.9% | 22,021 | 10.5% | 13.8% | -3,867 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 13,384 | 5.9% | 6.2% | 19,048 | 9.1% | 9.1% | -5,664 | -3.2pp |
| Buddhism | 8,682 | 3.8% | 2.5% | 6,532 | 3.1% | 2.5% | +2,150 | +0.7pp |
| Islam | 8,339 | 3.7% | 3.0% | 7,123 | 3.4% | 2.4% | +1,216 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 6,608 | 2.9% | 3.4% | 5,971 | 2.8% | 3.4% | +637 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 6,122 | 2.7% | 2.3% | 5,360 | 2.5% | 1.9% | +762 | +0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,459 | 1.5% | 0.6% | 3,544 | 1.7% | 0.7% | -85 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,105 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 3,925 | 1.9% | 2.0% | -820 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 226,368 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 210,204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,164 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.