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 Machans Beach, accounting for 58.7% (552 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 196 people and 24 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Machans Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Machans Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Machans Beach, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
552
% of total
58.7%
Change from 2016
+24.0pp
552
58.7%
+24.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
112
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
112
11.9%
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
96
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
96
10.2%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
68
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-20.7pp
68
7.2%
-20.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
22
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
22
2.3%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
18
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
1.9%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
17
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
17
1.8%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
15
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
1.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+196
+24.0pp
Western Catholic
-42
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-9
0.0pp
Not stated
-219
-20.7pp
Buddhism
-4
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-2
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-2
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
0
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Machans Beach. 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 | 552 | 58.7% | 41.7% | 356 | 34.7% | 31.7% | +196 | +24.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 112 | 11.9% | 19.9% | 154 | 15.0% | 22.8% | -42 | -3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 96 | 10.2% | 9.9% | 105 | 10.2% | 13.4% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 68 | 7.2% | 10.2% | 287 | 27.9% | 11.5% | -219 | -20.7pp |
| Buddhism | 22 | 2.3% | 1.7% | 26 | 2.5% | 1.8% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 18 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 20 | 1.9% | 3.6% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 17 | 1.8% | 2.7% | 19 | 1.9% | 2.7% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 15 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 15 | 1.5% | 2.9% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,027 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -87 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.