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 Gladstone (R), accounting for 45.4% (28,818 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 10,658 people and 15.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Gladstone (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Gladstone (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gladstone (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
28,818
% of total
45.4%
Change from 2016
+15.9pp
28,818
45.4%
+15.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
10,428
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
10,428
16.4%
-4.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,725
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
7,725
12.2%
-5.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,331
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
5,331
8.4%
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,305
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,305
3.6%
-1.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,714
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,714
2.7%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,490
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,490
2.3%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,121
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,121
1.8%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
731
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
731
1.2%
+0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
553
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
553
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+10,658
+15.9pp
Western Catholic
-2,611
-4.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,087
-5.4pp
Not stated
-534
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-983
-1.7pp
Presbyterian
-669
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-94
-0.3pp
Baptist
-110
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+31
+0.1pp
Lutheran
-169
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Gladstone (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 | 28,818 | 45.4% | 40.1% | 18,160 | 29.5% | 27.9% | +10,658 | +15.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 10,428 | 16.4% | 18.7% | 13,039 | 21.2% | 22.0% | -2,611 | -4.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,725 | 12.2% | 12.8% | 10,812 | 17.6% | 17.1% | -3,087 | -5.4pp |
| Not stated | 5,331 | 8.4% | 8.8% | 5,865 | 9.5% | 10.1% | -534 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,305 | 3.6% | 4.0% | 3,288 | 5.3% | 5.6% | -983 | -1.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,714 | 2.7% | 2.3% | 2,383 | 3.9% | 3.2% | -669 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,490 | 2.3% | 3.0% | 1,584 | 2.6% | 3.0% | -94 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 1,121 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1,231 | 2.0% | 1.6% | -110 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 731 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 700 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 553 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 722 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -169 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 63,499 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 61,601 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,898 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.