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 Palm Cove, accounting for 45.8% (1,118 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,057 people and 13.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Palm Cove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Palm Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,118
% of total
45.8%
Change from 2016
+13.9pp
1,118
45.8%
+13.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
439
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
+9.1pp
439
18.0%
+9.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
308
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-11.5pp
308
12.6%
-11.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
218
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
218
8.9%
+2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
57
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
57
2.3%
-7.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
54
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
54
2.2%
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
50
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
50
2.0%
-4.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
38
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
38
1.6%
-
Lutheran
2021 count
18
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
18
0.7%
-1.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
16
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.7%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,057
+13.9pp
Western Catholic
+422
+9.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+262
-11.5pp
Not stated
+205
+2.1pp
Uniting Church
+39
-7.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+46
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
+38
-4.3pp
Lutheran
+13
-1.9pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+10
-1.1pp
Data table
Religion for Palm Cove. 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 | 1,118 | 45.8% | 41.7% | 61 | 31.9% | 31.7% | +1,057 | +13.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 439 | 18.0% | 19.9% | 17 | 8.9% | 22.8% | +422 | +9.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 308 | 12.6% | 9.9% | 46 | 24.1% | 13.4% | +262 | -11.5pp |
| Not stated | 218 | 8.9% | 10.2% | 13 | 6.8% | 11.5% | +205 | +2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 57 | 2.3% | 2.6% | 18 | 9.4% | 3.6% | +39 | -7.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 54 | 2.2% | 2.7% | 8 | 4.2% | 2.7% | +46 | -2.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 50 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 12 | 6.3% | 2.9% | +38 | -4.3pp |
| Buddhism | 38 | 1.6% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Lutheran | 18 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 5 | 2.6% | 0.7% | +13 | -1.9pp |
| Baptist | 16 | 0.7% | 0.9% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Total | 2,443 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,252 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.