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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Darwin (C), accounting for 38.9% (31,354 people). This share was lower than Greater Darwin (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,768 people and 7.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Darwin (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Darwin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darwin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Islam
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,768
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
-2,228
-3.3pp
Not stated
-2,917
-3.9pp
Hinduism
+1,864
+2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,846
-2.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-36
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+353
+0.4pp
Islam
+709
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
-624
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-51
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Darwin (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 31,354 | 38.9% | 41.7% | 24,586 | 31.2% | 32.8% | +6,768 | +7.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,148 | 18.8% | 18.1% | 17,376 | 22.1% | 21.4% | -2,228 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 7,423 | 9.2% | 10.5% | 10,340 | 13.1% | 14.1% | -2,917 | -3.9pp |
| Hinduism | 4,273 | 5.3% | 3.7% | 2,409 | 3.1% | 2.2% | +1,864 | +2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,122 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 5,968 | 7.6% | 8.7% | -1,846 | -2.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,339 | 4.1% | 2.9% | 3,375 | 4.3% | 2.9% | -36 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,977 | 3.7% | 3.0% | 2,624 | 3.3% | 2.8% | +353 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 2,244 | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1,535 | 1.9% | 1.5% | +709 | +0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,735 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2,359 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -624 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,645 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 1,696 | 2.2% | 2.2% | -51 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 80,525 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,743 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.