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 Gold Coast (C), accounting for 43.2% (269,910 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 93,310 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Gold Coast (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Gold Coast (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gold Coast (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
269,910
% of total
43.2%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
269,910
43.2%
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
113,685
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
113,685
18.2%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
74,210
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
74,210
11.9%
-4.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
46,184
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
46,184
7.4%
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
19,586
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19,586
3.1%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
17,890
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
17,890
2.9%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
11,963
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
11,963
1.9%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
9,061
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
9,061
1.4%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
7,531
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
7,531
1.2%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
6,893
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
6,893
1.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+93,310
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
-1,646
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-15,493
-4.2pp
Not stated
-8,778
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+2,413
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-3,882
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-3,374
-0.9pp
Buddhism
+268
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-46
-0.2pp
Baptist
+70
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Gold Coast (C). 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 | 269,910 | 43.2% | 40.1% | 176,600 | 31.8% | 27.9% | +93,310 | +11.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 113,685 | 18.2% | 18.7% | 115,331 | 20.8% | 22.0% | -1,646 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 74,210 | 11.9% | 12.8% | 89,703 | 16.1% | 17.1% | -15,493 | -4.2pp |
| Not stated | 46,184 | 7.4% | 8.8% | 54,962 | 9.9% | 10.1% | -8,778 | -2.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 19,586 | 3.1% | 3.0% | 17,173 | 3.1% | 3.0% | +2,413 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 17,890 | 2.9% | 4.0% | 21,772 | 3.9% | 5.6% | -3,882 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 11,963 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 15,337 | 2.8% | 3.2% | -3,374 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 9,061 | 1.4% | 1.0% | 8,793 | 1.6% | 1.1% | +268 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 7,531 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 7,577 | 1.4% | 1.2% | -46 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 6,893 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 6,823 | 1.2% | 1.6% | +70 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 625,123 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 555,729 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +69,394 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.