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 Mackay (R), accounting for 36.6% (44,532 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,355 people and 13 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mackay (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mackay (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mackay (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
44,532
% of total
36.6%
Change from 2016
+13.0pp
44,532
36.6%
+13.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
28,684
% of total
23.6%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
28,684
23.6%
-4.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,162
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
14,162
11.6%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
12,396
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
12,396
10.2%
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
7,248
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
7,248
6.0%
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,127
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,127
2.6%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,300
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,300
1.9%
-1.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,124
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,124
0.9%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,090
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,090
0.9%
-0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
949
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
949
0.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,355
+13.0pp
Western Catholic
-3,494
-4.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,592
-4.7pp
Not stated
+1,561
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
-2,488
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+60
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1,049
-1.0pp
Baptist
-36
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-180
-0.2pp
Lutheran
-247
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Mackay (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 | 44,532 | 36.6% | 40.1% | 27,177 | 23.6% | 27.9% | +17,355 | +13.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 28,684 | 23.6% | 18.7% | 32,178 | 28.0% | 22.0% | -3,494 | -4.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,162 | 11.6% | 12.8% | 18,754 | 16.3% | 17.1% | -4,592 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 12,396 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 10,835 | 9.4% | 10.1% | +1,561 | +0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 7,248 | 6.0% | 4.0% | 9,736 | 8.5% | 5.6% | -2,488 | -2.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,127 | 2.6% | 3.0% | 3,067 | 2.7% | 3.0% | +60 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,300 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 3,349 | 2.9% | 3.2% | -1,049 | -1.0pp |
| Baptist | 1,124 | 0.9% | 1.4% | 1,160 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -36 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,090 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 1,270 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -180 | -0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 949 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 1,196 | 1.0% | 1.3% | -247 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 121,689 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 114,978 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,711 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.