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