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 Smithton, accounting for 42.5% (1,664 people). This share was lower than Circular Head (M) (45%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 482 people and 12 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Smithton - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Smithton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Smithton, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).

Smithton
Circular Head (M)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

1,664

% of total

42.5%

Change from 2016

+12.0pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

566

% of total

14.5%

Change from 2016

-5.0pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

449

% of total

11.5%

Change from 2016

-4.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

392

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

196

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

126

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

118

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Islam

2021 count

75

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-

Brethren

2021 count

64

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

62

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Religion for Smithton. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).

Religion for Smithton. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Religion for Smithton. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Circular Head (M)%Count%Circular Head (M)%Countpp
No Religion, so described1,66442.5%45.0%1,18230.5%32.8%+482+12.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia56614.5%13.5%75819.5%18.5%-192-5.0pp
Western Catholic44911.5%11.4%62116.0%15.6%-172-4.5pp
Not stated39210.0%10.5%3539.1%10.3%+39+0.9pp
Christianity, nfd1965.0%5.2%3408.8%8.4%-144-3.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd1263.2%2.1%1163.0%2.0%+10+0.2pp
Uniting Church1183.0%2.7%1774.6%3.8%-59-1.6pp
Islam751.9%1.7%--0.1%--
Brethren641.6%1.2%972.5%2.1%-33-0.9pp
Presbyterian621.6%1.5%671.7%2.2%-5-0.1pp
Total3,913100.0%100.0%3,881100.0%100.0%+320.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.