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 Edmonton, accounting for 41% (4,672 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,542 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Edmonton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Edmonton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edmonton, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Jehovah's Witnesses
Baptist
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,542
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-359
-4.6pp
Not stated
+275
+1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-418
-4.5pp
Uniting Church
-142
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+35
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-87
-1.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-9
-0.2pp
Baptist
-48
-0.5pp
Buddhism
-33
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Edmonton. 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 | 4,672 | 41.0% | 41.7% | 3,130 | 29.2% | 31.7% | +1,542 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,435 | 21.4% | 19.9% | 2,794 | 26.0% | 22.8% | -359 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,276 | 11.2% | 10.2% | 1,001 | 9.3% | 11.5% | +275 | +1.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,108 | 9.7% | 9.9% | 1,526 | 14.2% | 13.4% | -418 | -4.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 348 | 3.1% | 2.6% | 490 | 4.6% | 3.6% | -142 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 341 | 3.0% | 2.7% | 306 | 2.9% | 2.7% | +35 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 252 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 339 | 3.2% | 2.9% | -87 | -1.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 129 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 138 | 1.3% | 0.6% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 120 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 168 | 1.6% | 1.1% | -48 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 108 | 0.9% | 1.7% | 141 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -33 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 11,394 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,726 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +668 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.