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 Cassowary Coast (R), accounting for 33.4% (9,719 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,886 people and 9.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cassowary Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cassowary Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cassowary Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,719
% of total
33.4%
Change from 2016
+9.6pp
9,719
33.4%
+9.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,227
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
7,227
24.8%
-4.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,292
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
3,292
11.3%
-0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,287
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
3,287
11.3%
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,109
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,109
3.8%
-1.0pp
Sikhism
2021 count
795
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
795
2.7%
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
608
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
608
2.1%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
605
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
605
2.1%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
267
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
267
0.9%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
239
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
239
0.8%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,886
+9.6pp
Western Catholic
-1,109
-4.2pp
Not stated
-71
-0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-770
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
-282
-1.0pp
Sikhism
+97
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-135
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
-48
-0.2pp
Baptist
+4
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-102
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Cassowary Coast (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 9,719 | 33.4% | 40.1% | 6,833 | 23.8% | 27.9% | +2,886 | +9.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,227 | 24.8% | 18.7% | 8,336 | 29.0% | 22.0% | -1,109 | -4.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,292 | 11.3% | 8.8% | 3,363 | 11.7% | 10.1% | -71 | -0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,287 | 11.3% | 12.8% | 4,057 | 14.1% | 17.1% | -770 | -2.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,109 | 3.8% | 4.0% | 1,391 | 4.8% | 5.6% | -282 | -1.0pp |
| Sikhism | 795 | 2.7% | 0.3% | 698 | 2.4% | 0.2% | +97 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 608 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 743 | 2.6% | 3.2% | -135 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 605 | 2.1% | 3.0% | 653 | 2.3% | 3.0% | -48 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 267 | 0.9% | 1.4% | 263 | 0.9% | 1.6% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 239 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 341 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -102 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 29,140 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,732 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +408 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.