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 Bundaberg (R), accounting for 39.7% (39,328 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 15,248 people and 13.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bundaberg (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bundaberg (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bundaberg (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
39,328
% of total
39.7%
Change from 2016
+13.8pp
39,328
39.7%
+13.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
15,349
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
15,349
15.5%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,222
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
14,222
14.3%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,116
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
8,116
8.2%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,827
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
5,827
5.9%
-2.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,079
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,079
3.1%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,607
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,607
2.6%
-1.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
1,732
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,732
1.7%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,696
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,696
1.7%
-0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
935
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
935
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+15,248
+13.8pp
Western Catholic
-1,769
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,388
-4.7pp
Not stated
-691
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-1,756
-2.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+77
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-840
-1.1pp
Lutheran
-397
-0.6pp
Baptist
-338
-0.5pp
Buddhism
+169
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Bundaberg (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 39,328 | 39.7% | 40.1% | 24,080 | 25.9% | 27.9% | +15,248 | +13.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,349 | 15.5% | 18.7% | 17,118 | 18.4% | 22.0% | -1,769 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,222 | 14.3% | 12.8% | 17,610 | 19.0% | 17.1% | -3,388 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 8,116 | 8.2% | 8.8% | 8,807 | 9.5% | 10.1% | -691 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,827 | 5.9% | 4.0% | 7,583 | 8.2% | 5.6% | -1,756 | -2.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,079 | 3.1% | 3.0% | 3,002 | 3.2% | 3.0% | +77 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,607 | 2.6% | 2.3% | 3,447 | 3.7% | 3.2% | -840 | -1.1pp |
| Lutheran | 1,732 | 1.7% | 1.1% | 2,129 | 2.3% | 1.3% | -397 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 1,696 | 1.7% | 1.4% | 2,034 | 2.2% | 1.6% | -338 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 935 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 766 | 0.8% | 1.1% | +169 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 99,186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 92,870 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,316 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.