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 (R), accounting for 41.7% (69,627 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 19,820 people and 10 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cairns (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Baptist
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+19,820
+10.0pp
Western Catholic
-2,517
-2.9pp
Not stated
-1,108
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,560
-3.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+345
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-1,302
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-986
-0.8pp
Buddhism
+21
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+59
0.0pp
Baptist
-156
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Cairns (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 | 69,627 | 41.7% | 40.1% | 49,807 | 31.7% | 27.9% | +19,820 | +10.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 33,299 | 19.9% | 18.7% | 35,816 | 22.8% | 22.0% | -2,517 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 16,955 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 18,063 | 11.5% | 10.1% | -1,108 | -1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 16,475 | 9.9% | 12.8% | 21,035 | 13.4% | 17.1% | -4,560 | -3.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,554 | 2.7% | 3.0% | 4,209 | 2.7% | 3.0% | +345 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 4,396 | 2.6% | 4.0% | 5,698 | 3.6% | 5.6% | -1,302 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,581 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 4,567 | 2.9% | 3.2% | -986 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 2,780 | 1.7% | 1.0% | 2,759 | 1.8% | 1.1% | +21 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,975 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1,916 | 1.2% | 1.2% | +59 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 1,563 | 0.9% | 1.4% | 1,719 | 1.1% | 1.6% | -156 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 166,919 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 156,896 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,023 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.