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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Brightly, accounting for 30.4% (14 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (23.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which decreased by 96 people and 12.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brightly - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brightly in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brightly, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Western Catholic
2021 count
14
% of total
30.4%
Change from 2016
+16.4pp
14
30.4%
+16.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
12
% of total
26.1%
Change from 2016
-12.7pp
12
26.1%
-12.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
10
21.7%
+7.7pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-25
+16.4pp
No Religion, so described
-96
-12.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-29
+7.7pp
Data table
Religion for Brightly. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 14 | 30.4% | 23.6% | 39 | 14.0% | 28.0% | -25 | +16.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 12 | 26.1% | 36.6% | 108 | 38.8% | 23.6% | -96 | -12.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10 | 21.7% | 11.6% | 39 | 14.0% | 16.3% | -29 | +7.7pp |
| Total | 46 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 278 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -232 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.