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 Westcourt, accounting for 34.7% (1,328 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 264 people and 7.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Westcourt - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Westcourt in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Westcourt, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Westcourt
Cairns (R)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

1,328

% of total

34.7%

Change from 2016

+7.5pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

753

% of total

19.7%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

436

% of total

11.4%

Change from 2016

-4.6pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

404

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Buddhism

2021 count

142

% of total

3.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

112

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

98

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Hinduism

2021 count

97

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

87

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

68

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Data table

Religion for Westcourt. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).

Religion for Westcourt. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Religion for Westcourt. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
No Religion, so described1,32834.7%41.7%1,06427.2%31.7%+264+7.5pp
Western Catholic75319.7%19.9%74319.0%22.8%+10+0.7pp
Not stated43611.4%10.2%62416.0%11.5%-188-4.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia40410.6%9.9%45711.7%13.4%-53-1.1pp
Buddhism1423.7%1.7%1493.8%1.8%-7-0.1pp
Uniting Church1122.9%2.6%1383.5%3.6%-26-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd982.6%2.7%962.5%2.7%+2+0.1pp
Hinduism972.5%0.9%1814.6%0.8%-84-2.1pp
Presbyterian872.3%2.1%1183.0%2.9%-31-0.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd681.8%1.2%451.2%1.2%+23+0.6pp
Total3,824100.0%100.0%3,908100.0%100.0%-840.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.