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 Brinsmead, accounting for 43.1% (2,377 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 533 people and 8.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brinsmead - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brinsmead in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brinsmead, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,377
% of total
43.1%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
2,377
43.1%
+8.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,264
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,264
22.9%
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
526
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
526
9.5%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
333
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
333
6.0%
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
178
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
178
3.2%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
137
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
137
2.5%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
119
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
119
2.2%
-0.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
106
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
106
1.9%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
91
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
91
1.7%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
74
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
74
1.3%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+533
+8.6pp
Western Catholic
-67
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-132
-2.8pp
Not stated
-101
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+16
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-39
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-37
-0.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-16
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-7
-0.1pp
Baptist
-18
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Brinsmead. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,377 | 43.1% | 41.7% | 1,844 | 34.5% | 31.7% | +533 | +8.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,264 | 22.9% | 19.9% | 1,331 | 24.9% | 22.8% | -67 | -2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 526 | 9.5% | 9.9% | 658 | 12.3% | 13.4% | -132 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 333 | 6.0% | 10.2% | 434 | 8.1% | 11.5% | -101 | -2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 178 | 3.2% | 2.7% | 162 | 3.0% | 2.7% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 137 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 176 | 3.3% | 3.6% | -39 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 119 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 156 | 2.9% | 2.9% | -37 | -0.7pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 106 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 122 | 2.3% | 1.2% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 91 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 98 | 1.8% | 1.8% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 74 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 92 | 1.7% | 1.1% | -18 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 5,512 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,338 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +174 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.