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, Uniting Church was the most common religious affiliation among residents in East Arnhem (R), accounting for 35.1% (3,079 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (6.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Uniting Church, which decreased by 1,968 people and 20.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Arnhem (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Arnhem (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Arnhem (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,079
% of total
35.1%
Change from 2016
-20.7pp
3,079
35.1%
-20.7pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
2021 count
1,737
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
+13.8pp
1,737
19.8%
+13.8pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,706
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+14.3pp
1,706
19.4%
+14.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
649
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
649
7.4%
-5.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
641
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
641
7.3%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
542
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
542
6.2%
+3.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
143
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-6.1pp
143
1.6%
-6.1pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
92
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
92
1.0%
+0.9pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.2%
+0.1pp
Other Spiritual Beliefs, nfd
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
18
0.2%
-
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Uniting Church
-1,968
-20.7pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
+1,199
+13.8pp
No Religion, so described
+1,249
+14.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-487
-5.2pp
Not stated
-129
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+296
+3.5pp
Western Catholic
-554
-6.1pp
Inadequately described
+82
+0.9pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+9
+0.1pp
Methodist, so described
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for East Arnhem (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 | |
| Uniting Church | 3,079 | 35.1% | 6.1% | 5,047 | 55.8% | 9.4% | -1,968 | -20.7pp |
| Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions | 1,737 | 19.8% | 3.7% | 538 | 6.0% | 3.4% | +1,199 | +13.8pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,706 | 19.4% | 32.6% | 457 | 5.1% | 24.2% | +1,249 | +14.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 649 | 7.4% | 6.3% | 1,136 | 12.6% | 8.0% | -487 | -5.2pp |
| Not stated | 641 | 7.3% | 12.9% | 770 | 8.5% | 17.2% | -129 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 542 | 6.2% | 4.9% | 246 | 2.7% | 2.3% | +296 | +3.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 143 | 1.6% | 14.9% | 697 | 7.7% | 17.7% | -554 | -6.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 92 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +82 | +0.9pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 18 | 0.2% | 0.9% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.8% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Other Spiritual Beliefs, nfd | 18 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 8,776 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,041 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -265 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.