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 Merriwa (WA), accounting for 45.6% (2,538 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (42%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 647 people and 11.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Merriwa (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Merriwa (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merriwa (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,538
% of total
45.6%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
2,538
45.6%
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
814
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
814
14.6%
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
742
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
742
13.3%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
430
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
430
7.7%
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
218
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
218
3.9%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
113
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
113
2.0%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
89
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
89
1.6%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
83
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
83
1.5%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
79
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
79
1.4%
-0.6pp
Islam
2021 count
78
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
78
1.4%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+647
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
-194
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-207
-4.0pp
Not stated
-89
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+10
+0.1pp
Baptist
-9
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-1
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-26
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-31
-0.6pp
Islam
+26
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Merriwa (WA). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,538 | 45.6% | 42.0% | 1,891 | 34.5% | 31.8% | +647 | +11.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 814 | 14.6% | 18.0% | 1,008 | 18.4% | 20.9% | -194 | -3.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 742 | 13.3% | 10.1% | 949 | 17.3% | 14.3% | -207 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 430 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 519 | 9.5% | 8.4% | -89 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 218 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 208 | 3.8% | 4.1% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 113 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 122 | 2.2% | 2.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 89 | 1.6% | 2.5% | 90 | 1.6% | 2.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 83 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 109 | 2.0% | 1.4% | -26 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 79 | 1.4% | 1.0% | 110 | 2.0% | 1.5% | -31 | -0.6pp |
| Islam | 78 | 1.4% | 3.0% | 52 | 0.9% | 2.5% | +26 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,562 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,487 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +75 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.