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 Alice Springs (T), accounting for 42.5% (11,004 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (32.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,948 people and 9.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Alice Springs (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Alice Springs (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

No Religion, so described

+2,948

+9.9pp

Western Catholic

-200

-1.6pp

Not stated

-1,509

-6.5pp

Anglican Church of Australia

-508

-2.4pp

Lutheran

+67

+0.1pp

Christianity, nfd

+105

+0.3pp

Uniting Church

-113

-0.6pp

Baptist

-32

-0.2pp

Hinduism

+283

+1.0pp

Pentecostal, nfd

+63

+0.2pp

Data table

Religion for Alice Springs (T). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.

Religion for Alice Springs (T). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Religion for Alice Springs (T). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NT%Count%Regional NT%Countpp
No Religion, so described11,00442.5%32.6%8,05632.6%24.2%+2,948+9.9pp
Western Catholic4,37916.9%14.9%4,57918.5%17.7%-200-1.6pp
Not stated2,2048.5%12.9%3,71315.0%17.2%-1,509-6.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia1,3345.1%6.3%1,8427.5%8.0%-508-2.4pp
Lutheran1,1844.6%5.1%1,1174.5%5.6%+67+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd8293.2%4.9%7242.9%2.3%+105+0.3pp
Uniting Church7332.8%6.1%8463.4%9.4%-113-0.6pp
Baptist6352.5%4.1%6672.7%3.7%-32-0.2pp
Hinduism6282.4%1.1%3451.4%0.6%+283+1.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd4621.8%0.9%3991.6%0.8%+63+0.2pp
Total25,905100.0%100.0%24,724100.0%100.0%+1,1810.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.