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 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 339 people and 7.9 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Lutheran
Baptist
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+339
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
+23
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
0
-2.4pp
Not stated
+1
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
-21
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+8
0.0pp
Presbyterian
+6
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.1pp
Lutheran
+4
0.0pp
Baptist
+4
+0.1pp
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% | 779 | 37.9% | 31.7% | +339 | +7.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 439 | 18.0% | 19.9% | 416 | 20.3% | 22.8% | +23 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 308 | 12.6% | 9.9% | 308 | 15.0% | 13.4% | 0 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 218 | 8.9% | 10.2% | 217 | 10.6% | 11.5% | +1 | -1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 57 | 2.3% | 2.6% | 78 | 3.8% | 3.6% | -21 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 54 | 2.2% | 2.7% | 46 | 2.2% | 2.7% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 50 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 44 | 2.1% | 2.9% | +6 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 38 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 30 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 18 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 14 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 16 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 12 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 2,443 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,053 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +390 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.