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, Baptist was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Central Desert (R), accounting for 25.5% (913 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (4.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Lutheran, which decreased by 231 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Central Desert (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Central Desert (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Desert (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Baptist
2021 count
913
% of total
25.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
913
25.5%
+0.6pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
734
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
734
20.5%
+6.7pp
Lutheran
2021 count
679
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
679
19.0%
-5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
412
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
412
11.5%
+2.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
313
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
313
8.7%
+1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
164
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
164
4.6%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
76
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
76
2.1%
+1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
54
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
54
1.5%
-0.5pp
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2021 count
44
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
44
1.2%
+0.6pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
2021 count
44
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
44
1.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Baptist
-2
+0.6pp
No Religion, so described
+226
+6.7pp
Lutheran
-231
-5.8pp
Not stated
+73
+2.3pp
Western Catholic
+33
+1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-33
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+37
+1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-20
-0.5pp
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
+21
+0.6pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Central Desert (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Baptist | 913 | 25.5% | 4.1% | 915 | 24.9% | 3.7% | -2 | +0.6pp |
| No Religion, so described | 734 | 20.5% | 32.6% | 508 | 13.8% | 24.2% | +226 | +6.7pp |
| Lutheran | 679 | 19.0% | 5.1% | 910 | 24.8% | 5.6% | -231 | -5.8pp |
| Not stated | 412 | 11.5% | 12.9% | 339 | 9.2% | 17.2% | +73 | +2.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 313 | 8.7% | 14.9% | 280 | 7.6% | 17.7% | +33 | +1.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 164 | 4.6% | 0.9% | 197 | 5.4% | 0.8% | -33 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 76 | 2.1% | 4.9% | 39 | 1.1% | 2.3% | +37 | +1.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 54 | 1.5% | 6.3% | 74 | 2.0% | 8.0% | -20 | -0.5pp |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 44 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +21 | +0.6pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 44 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 41 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,581 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,670 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -89 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.