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 Swan (C), accounting for 39.8% (60,810 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (41.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 19,940 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Swan (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Swan (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Swan (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
60,810
% of total
39.8%
Change from 2016
+9.3pp
60,810
39.8%
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
29,795
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
29,795
19.5%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
13,949
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
13,949
9.1%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,567
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
9,567
6.3%
-3.0pp
Islam
2021 count
6,084
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
6,084
4.0%
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
6,035
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
6,035
3.9%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
4,706
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
4,706
3.1%
+1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,729
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,729
2.4%
-0.3pp
Sikhism
2021 count
2,701
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
2,701
1.8%
+0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,619
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,619
1.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+19,940
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
-163
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,191
-4.5pp
Not stated
-2,827
-3.0pp
Islam
+2,016
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+779
0.0pp
Hinduism
+1,853
+1.0pp
Buddhism
+71
-0.3pp
Sikhism
+1,432
+0.9pp
Baptist
+361
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Swan (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 | 60,810 | 39.8% | 41.8% | 40,870 | 30.5% | 32.1% | +19,940 | +9.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 29,795 | 19.5% | 19.4% | 29,958 | 22.4% | 22.0% | -163 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 13,949 | 9.1% | 9.9% | 18,140 | 13.6% | 13.8% | -4,191 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 9,567 | 6.3% | 6.2% | 12,394 | 9.3% | 9.1% | -2,827 | -3.0pp |
| Islam | 6,084 | 4.0% | 3.0% | 4,068 | 3.0% | 2.4% | +2,016 | +1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 6,035 | 3.9% | 3.4% | 5,256 | 3.9% | 3.4% | +779 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 4,706 | 3.1% | 2.3% | 2,853 | 2.1% | 1.9% | +1,853 | +1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 3,729 | 2.4% | 2.5% | 3,658 | 2.7% | 2.5% | +71 | -0.3pp |
| Sikhism | 2,701 | 1.8% | 0.8% | 1,269 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +1,432 | +0.9pp |
| Baptist | 2,619 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 2,258 | 1.7% | 1.7% | +361 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 152,964 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 133,847 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +19,117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.