Religion

1.35 The 2001 Census was the first to ask people about their religious identity. It was the only voluntary question in the Census and 8% of residents chose not to answer it. Most residents in the South West identified with a religion; 74% with Christianity, slightly higher than for England. However, South West residents were less likely to identify with a religion than the England average. City of Bristol had the highest percentage of residents identifying with a religion other than Christianity.

Table 1.6 Population by Religious Faith April 2001
 

South West 

South West 

England
Faith

Number

%

%
Christian

3,646,488

74

71.7
Buddhist

11,299

0.2

0.3
Hindu

8,288

0.2

1.1
Jewish

6,747

0.1

0.5
Muslim

23,465

0.5

3.1
Sikh

4,614

0.1

0.7
Other

18,221

0.4

0.3
All religions 

3,719,122

75.5

77.7
No religion

825,461

16.7

14.6
Not stated

383,851

7.8

7.7
Total residents

4,928,434

100

100

Source: Census 2001

    1.36 The following maps represent the major religious adherence recorded by the 2001 Census.

    Figure 1.33 Proportion of Population of Buddhist Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Buddhist Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.34 Proportion of Population of Christian faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Christian faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.35 Proportion of Population of Hindu Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Hindu Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.36 Proportion of Population of Jewish Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Jewish Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.37 Proportion of Population of Muslim Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Muslim Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.38 Proportion of Population of Sikh Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Sikh Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.39 Proportion of Population of Other Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of Other Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.40 Proportion of Population of No Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population of No Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages
    Figure 1.41 Proportion of Population Declining to State Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Proportion of Population Declining to State Religion or Faith at SOA Level, percentages