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 Fraser Coast (R), accounting for 41% (45,536 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,295 people and 13.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fraser Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fraser Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fraser Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
45,536
% of total
41.0%
Change from 2016
+13.2pp
45,536
41.0%
+13.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
17,080
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
17,080
15.4%
-4.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
16,849
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
16,849
15.2%
-2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,554
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
9,554
8.6%
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,476
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
5,476
4.9%
-1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,031
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,031
2.7%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,991
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,991
2.7%
-1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,006
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,006
1.8%
-0.3pp
Lutheran
2021 count
1,355
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,355
1.2%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,121
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,121
1.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,295
+13.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,267
-4.6pp
Western Catholic
-1,066
-2.5pp
Not stated
-1,046
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-1,445
-1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+141
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-858
-1.1pp
Baptist
-112
-0.3pp
Lutheran
-283
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+88
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Fraser Coast (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 45,536 | 41.0% | 40.1% | 28,241 | 27.8% | 27.9% | +17,295 | +13.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 17,080 | 15.4% | 12.8% | 20,347 | 20.0% | 17.1% | -3,267 | -4.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 16,849 | 15.2% | 18.7% | 17,915 | 17.7% | 22.0% | -1,066 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 9,554 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 10,600 | 10.4% | 10.1% | -1,046 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,476 | 4.9% | 4.0% | 6,921 | 6.8% | 5.6% | -1,445 | -1.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,031 | 2.7% | 3.0% | 2,890 | 2.8% | 3.0% | +141 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,991 | 2.7% | 2.3% | 3,849 | 3.8% | 3.2% | -858 | -1.1pp |
| Baptist | 2,006 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 2,118 | 2.1% | 1.6% | -112 | -0.3pp |
| Lutheran | 1,355 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1,638 | 1.6% | 1.3% | -283 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,121 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1,033 | 1.0% | 1.2% | +88 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 111,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 101,488 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,546 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.