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 McDowall, accounting for 34.4% (2,615 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (40.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 742 people and 8.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
McDowall - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for McDowall in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McDowall, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,615
% of total
34.4%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
2,615
34.4%
+8.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,221
% of total
29.2%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
2,221
29.2%
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
766
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
766
10.1%
-2.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
274
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
274
3.6%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
266
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
266
3.5%
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
260
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
260
3.4%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
199
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
199
2.6%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
169
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
169
2.2%
+0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
160
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
160
2.1%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
149
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
149
2.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+742
+8.6pp
Western Catholic
-26
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-162
-2.7pp
Baptist
+17
+0.1pp
Not stated
-188
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
-92
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+61
+0.7pp
Presbyterian
-24
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for McDowall. 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 | 2,615 | 34.4% | 40.8% | 1,873 | 25.8% | 31.6% | +742 | +8.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,221 | 29.2% | 20.6% | 2,247 | 31.0% | 23.0% | -26 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 766 | 10.1% | 8.5% | 928 | 12.8% | 11.0% | -162 | -2.7pp |
| Baptist | 274 | 3.6% | 1.7% | 257 | 3.5% | 1.9% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 266 | 3.5% | 5.6% | 454 | 6.3% | 8.7% | -188 | -2.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 260 | 3.4% | 2.9% | 352 | 4.9% | 4.0% | -92 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 199 | 2.6% | 2.6% | 184 | 2.5% | 2.5% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 169 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 108 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +61 | +0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 160 | 2.1% | 1.7% | 184 | 2.5% | 2.3% | -24 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 149 | 2.0% | 1.0% | 143 | 2.0% | 1.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,594 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,252 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +342 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.