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, 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
No Religion, so described
Lutheran
Not stated
Western Catholic
Pentecostal, nfd
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
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.