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 Forest Lake, accounting for 35.5% (8,067 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (40.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,480 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Forest Lake - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Forest Lake in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forest Lake, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Not stated
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Islam
Baptist
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,480
+6.7pp
Western Catholic
-459
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-658
-2.8pp
Buddhism
+88
+0.4pp
Not stated
-696
-3.0pp
Hinduism
+186
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+123
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-238
-1.0pp
Islam
+170
+0.8pp
Baptist
-95
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Forest Lake. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,067 | 35.5% | 40.8% | 6,587 | 28.8% | 31.6% | +1,480 | +6.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,991 | 17.6% | 20.6% | 4,450 | 19.4% | 23.0% | -459 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,045 | 9.0% | 8.5% | 2,703 | 11.8% | 11.0% | -658 | -2.8pp |
| Buddhism | 1,324 | 5.8% | 2.7% | 1,236 | 5.4% | 2.8% | +88 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 982 | 4.3% | 5.6% | 1,678 | 7.3% | 8.7% | -696 | -3.0pp |
| Hinduism | 936 | 4.1% | 2.9% | 750 | 3.3% | 2.2% | +186 | +0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 878 | 3.9% | 2.6% | 755 | 3.3% | 2.5% | +123 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 709 | 3.1% | 2.9% | 947 | 4.1% | 4.0% | -238 | -1.0pp |
| Islam | 670 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 500 | 2.2% | 2.0% | +170 | +0.8pp |
| Baptist | 573 | 2.5% | 1.7% | 668 | 2.9% | 1.9% | -95 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 22,704 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,910 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -206 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.