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 (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.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
69,627
% of total
41.7%
Change from 2016
+10.0pp
69,627
41.7%
+10.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
33,299
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
33,299
19.9%
-2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
16,955
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
16,955
10.2%
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
16,475
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
16,475
9.9%
-3.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,554
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,554
2.7%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
4,396
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
4,396
2.6%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,581
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,581
2.1%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,780
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,780
1.7%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,975
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,975
1.2%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,563
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,563
0.9%
-0.2pp
Chart view
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.