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 Papunya, accounting for 57.7% (247 people). This share was higher than MacDonnell (R) (38.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Lutheran, which decreased by 68 people and 19.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Papunya - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Papunya in 2021 for persons, with comparison against MacDonnell (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Papunya, with comparison markers for MacDonnell (R).
Lutheran
2021 count
247
% of total
57.7%
Change from 2016
-19.5pp
247
57.7%
-19.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
92
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
92
21.5%
+11.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
44
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
44
10.3%
+4.4pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
2021 count
15
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-
15
3.5%
-
Baptist
2021 count
11
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
11
2.6%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lutheran
-68
-19.5pp
Not stated
+52
+11.7pp
No Religion, so described
+20
+4.4pp
Baptist
+8
+1.9pp
Data table
Religion for Papunya. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with MacDonnell (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Lutheran | 247 | 57.7% | 38.5% | 315 | 77.2% | 36.1% | -68 | -19.5pp |
| Not stated | 92 | 21.5% | 21.0% | 40 | 9.8% | 30.2% | +52 | +11.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 44 | 10.3% | 16.6% | 24 | 5.9% | 8.7% | +20 | +4.4pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 15 | 3.5% | 0.3% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Baptist | 11 | 2.6% | 1.1% | 3 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +8 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 408 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.