Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Lutheran
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.