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 Cairns North, accounting for 39.4% (2,094 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 411 people and 7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cairns North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cairns North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns North, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,094
% of total
39.4%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
2,094
39.4%
+7.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
964
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
964
18.2%
-2.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
787
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
787
14.8%
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
361
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
361
6.8%
-2.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
139
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
139
2.6%
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
138
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
138
2.6%
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
101
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
101
1.9%
-0.1pp
Sikhism
2021 count
93
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
93
1.8%
-1.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
87
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
87
1.6%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
69
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
69
1.3%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+411
+7.0pp
Not stated
-90
-2.1pp
Western Catholic
-71
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-112
-2.3pp
Buddhism
-2
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+49
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
-5
-0.1pp
Sikhism
-78
-1.5pp
Hinduism
-6
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-21
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Cairns North. 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 | 2,094 | 39.4% | 41.7% | 1,683 | 32.4% | 31.7% | +411 | +7.0pp |
| Not stated | 964 | 18.2% | 10.2% | 1,054 | 20.3% | 11.5% | -90 | -2.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 787 | 14.8% | 19.9% | 858 | 16.5% | 22.8% | -71 | -1.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 361 | 6.8% | 9.9% | 473 | 9.1% | 13.4% | -112 | -2.3pp |
| Buddhism | 139 | 2.6% | 1.7% | 141 | 2.7% | 1.8% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 138 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 89 | 1.7% | 2.7% | +49 | +0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 101 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 106 | 2.0% | 3.6% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Sikhism | 93 | 1.8% | 0.6% | 171 | 3.3% | 0.5% | -78 | -1.5pp |
| Hinduism | 87 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 93 | 1.8% | 0.8% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 69 | 1.3% | 2.1% | 90 | 1.7% | 2.9% | -21 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 5,309 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +109 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.