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, Lutheran was the most common religious affiliation among residents in MacDonnell (R), accounting for 38.5% (2,217 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (5.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 430 people and 7.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
MacDonnell (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for MacDonnell (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for MacDonnell (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Lutheran
2021 count
2,217
% of total
38.5%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
2,217
38.5%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,207
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-9.2pp
1,207
21.0%
-9.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
954
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
+7.9pp
954
16.6%
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
861
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
861
15.0%
-0.8pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
2021 count
111
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
111
1.9%
+0.7pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
78
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
78
1.4%
+0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
67
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
67
1.2%
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
61
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
61
1.1%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
61
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
61
1.1%
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
61
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
61
1.1%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lutheran
+48
+2.4pp
Not stated
-606
-9.2pp
No Religion, so described
+430
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
-88
-0.8pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
+36
+0.7pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+33
+0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-87
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-35
-0.5pp
Baptist
+30
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-20
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for MacDonnell (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 | |
| Lutheran | 2,217 | 38.5% | 5.1% | 2,169 | 36.1% | 5.6% | +48 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,207 | 21.0% | 12.9% | 1,813 | 30.2% | 17.2% | -606 | -9.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 954 | 16.6% | 32.6% | 524 | 8.7% | 24.2% | +430 | +7.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 861 | 15.0% | 14.9% | 949 | 15.8% | 17.7% | -88 | -0.8pp |
| Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions | 111 | 1.9% | 3.7% | 75 | 1.2% | 3.4% | +36 | +0.7pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 78 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 45 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +33 | +0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 67 | 1.2% | 4.9% | 154 | 2.6% | 2.3% | -87 | -1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 61 | 1.1% | 6.3% | 96 | 1.6% | 8.0% | -35 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 61 | 1.1% | 4.1% | 31 | 0.5% | 3.7% | +30 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 61 | 1.1% | 6.1% | 81 | 1.3% | 9.4% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 5,751 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,002 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -251 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.