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 Cooktown, accounting for 40.4% (1,116 people). This share was higher than Cook (S) (38.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 288 people and 8.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cooktown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cooktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cook (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cooktown, with comparison markers for Cook (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,116
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+8.7pp
1,116
40.4%
+8.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
480
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
480
17.4%
+0.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
338
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
338
12.2%
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
266
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
266
9.6%
-4.5pp
Lutheran
2021 count
171
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
171
6.2%
+2.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
52
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
52
1.9%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
50
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
50
1.8%
-1.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
48
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
48
1.7%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
46
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
46
1.7%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
46
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
46
1.7%
-1.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+288
+8.7pp
Not stated
+30
+0.2pp
Western Catholic
-77
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-103
-4.5pp
Lutheran
+69
+2.3pp
Uniting Church
-23
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-30
-1.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+8
+0.2pp
Baptist
+14
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-30
-1.2pp
Data table
Religion for Cooktown. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,116 | 40.4% | 38.9% | 828 | 31.7% | 30.1% | +288 | +8.7pp |
| Not stated | 480 | 17.4% | 20.6% | 450 | 17.2% | 18.7% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 338 | 12.2% | 13.3% | 415 | 15.9% | 15.9% | -77 | -3.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 266 | 9.6% | 8.5% | 369 | 14.1% | 13.4% | -103 | -4.5pp |
| Lutheran | 171 | 6.2% | 5.3% | 102 | 3.9% | 4.9% | +69 | +2.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 52 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 75 | 2.9% | 3.2% | -23 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 50 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 80 | 3.1% | 2.7% | -30 | -1.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 48 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 40 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 46 | 1.7% | 1.1% | 32 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +14 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 46 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 76 | 2.9% | 2.4% | -30 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 2,761 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,610 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +151 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.