Introduction
As part of the 2021 Census, data was published on religion and belief at local and national levels. The data for religion asked a voluntary question on which religious group an individual identifies themself as belonging to. The data for religion did not attempt to collect detailed information such as the extent to which they practise their religion.

Data Overview
Oldham is culturally diverse with many different religions and faiths practised in the borough. In 2021, 108,720 (44.9%) recorded themselves as Christian. This is a decrease from 59.7% of the population in 2011.

The second largest group are those who identify themselves as Muslim. In 2021, 59,031 (24.4%) recorded themselves as Muslim. This is an increase from 17.7% of the population in 2011.

Figure 1: Stated Religion in Oldham (2001-2021)
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Census 2021, 2011 & 2001

The decrease in those identifying as Christian as well as those identifying as having no religion is also seen nationally.
The 2021 Census was also the first Census in which less than half of the England population (46.3%) identified as Christian. This was a decrease from n% in 2011.

Figure 2: Stated Religion in Oldham, GM and England (2021)
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Census 2021

Figure 3: Religion in Oldham by Electoral Ward

Ward	Total Population	Christian	Muslim	No religion	Religion Not Stated	Christian %	Muslim %	No Religion %	Religion Not Stated %
Alexandra	14449	4598	6108	2896	705	31.8%	42.3%	20.0%	4.9%
Chadderton Central	11707	4071	4608	2357	561	34.8%	39.4%	20.1%	4.8%
Chadderton North	10925	6276	1133	2881	504	57.4%	10.4%	26.4%	4.6%
Chadderton South	12589	6488	1334	3971	619	51.5%	10.6%	31.5%	4.9%
Coldhurst	15198	3066	9912	1465	581	20.2%	65.2%	9.6%	3.8%
Crompton	9923	6518	297	2637	392	65.7%	3.0%	26.6%	4.0%
Failsworth East	10364	6297	152	3376	481	60.8%	1.5%	32.6%	4.6%
Failsworth West	11103	6567	253	3664	509	59.1%	2.3%	33.0%	4.6%
Hollinwood	12923	5631	2072	4496	556	43.6%	16.0%	34.8%	4.3%
Medlock Vale	14262	4533	5741	2901	727	31.8%	40.3%	20.3%	5.1%
Royton North	11065	7182	241	3087	492	64.9%	2.2%	27.9%	4.4%
Royton South	10296	6078	675	2980	487	59.0%	6.6%	28.9%	4.7%
Saddleworth North	9884	5908	93	3349	456	59.8%	0.9%	33.9%	4.6%
Saddleworth South	9963	6034	68	3309	469	60.6%	0.7%	33.2%	4.7%
Saddleworth West & Lees	11082	6805	221	3464	487	61.4%	2.0%	31.3%	4.4%
Shaw	10037	5855	461	3100	552	58.3%	4.6%	30.9%	5.5%
St James'	12478	6588	443	4810	544	52.8%	3.6%	38.5%	4.4%
St Mary's	15035	2653	10083	1525	686	17.6%	67.1%	10.1%	4.6%
Waterhead	13790	5506	4163	3341	665	39.9%	30.2%	24.2%	4.8%
Werneth	14983	2073	10963	902	813	13.8%	73.2%	6.0%	5.4%

Source: Office for National Statistics - Census 2021

• The ward with the largest proportion of those identifying as Christian is Crompton at 65.7%.
• The ward with the largest proportion of those identifying as Muslim is Werneth at 73.2%.
• The ward with the largest proportion of those identifying with No Religion is St James' at 38.5%.
• The ward with the largest proportion of no responses is Shaw at 5.5%.

Further Information
ONS Census 2021 - Religion