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 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
Not stated
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Sikhism
Hinduism
Presbyterian
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.