Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Brisbane (C), accounting for 40.8% (507,612 people). This share was lower than Greater Brisbane (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 150,055 people and 9.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brisbane (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brisbane (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brisbane (C), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Hinduism
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+150,055
+9.2pp
Western Catholic
-3,641
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-19,924
-2.5pp
Not stated
-28,291
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
-8,531
-1.1pp
Hinduism
+10,864
+0.7pp
Buddhism
+2,452
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+4,597
+0.1pp
Islam
+5,693
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-4,470
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Brisbane (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 507,612 | 40.8% | 41.4% | 357,557 | 31.6% | 30.6% | +150,055 | +9.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 256,459 | 20.6% | 18.5% | 260,100 | 23.0% | 21.4% | -3,641 | -2.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 105,038 | 8.5% | 9.7% | 124,962 | 11.0% | 13.3% | -19,924 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 70,199 | 5.6% | 6.3% | 98,490 | 8.7% | 8.7% | -28,291 | -3.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 36,624 | 2.9% | 3.2% | 45,155 | 4.0% | 4.6% | -8,531 | -1.1pp |
| Hinduism | 36,005 | 2.9% | 2.0% | 25,141 | 2.2% | 1.5% | +10,864 | +0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 33,794 | 2.7% | 1.9% | 31,342 | 2.8% | 2.0% | +2,452 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 32,461 | 2.6% | 3.2% | 27,864 | 2.5% | 3.1% | +4,597 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 28,193 | 2.3% | 1.8% | 22,500 | 2.0% | 1.5% | +5,693 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 21,736 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 26,206 | 2.3% | 2.6% | -4,470 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 1,242,830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,131,171 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +111,659 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.