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 Whitfield (Qld), accounting for 46.3% (1,964 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 432 people and 10.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Whitfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Whitfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whitfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,964
% of total
46.3%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
1,964
46.3%
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
865
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
865
20.4%
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
481
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
481
11.3%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
248
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
248
5.8%
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
126
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
126
3.0%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
97
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
97
2.3%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
81
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
81
1.9%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
68
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
68
1.6%
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
36
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
36
0.8%
+0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
32
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
32
0.8%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+432
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
-108
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-130
-3.0pp
Not stated
-123
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
-45
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-38
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
-38
-0.9pp
Buddhism
+19
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
+0.1pp
Islam
+19
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Whitfield (Qld). 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 | 1,964 | 46.3% | 41.7% | 1,532 | 35.9% | 31.7% | +432 | +10.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 865 | 20.4% | 19.9% | 973 | 22.8% | 22.8% | -108 | -2.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 481 | 11.3% | 9.9% | 611 | 14.3% | 13.4% | -130 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 248 | 5.8% | 10.2% | 371 | 8.7% | 11.5% | -123 | -2.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 126 | 3.0% | 2.6% | 171 | 4.0% | 3.6% | -45 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 97 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 135 | 3.2% | 2.9% | -38 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 81 | 1.9% | 2.7% | 119 | 2.8% | 2.7% | -38 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 68 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 49 | 1.1% | 1.8% | +19 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 36 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 29 | 0.7% | 1.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 32 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +19 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,245 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,271 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -26 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.