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 East Mackay, accounting for 36.4% (1,354 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 517 people and 12.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,354
% of total
36.4%
Change from 2016
+12.9pp
1,354
36.4%
+12.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
894
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
894
24.0%
-5.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
430
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
430
11.6%
+3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
402
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
402
10.8%
-5.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
212
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
212
5.7%
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
88
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
88
2.4%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
71
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
71
1.9%
-1.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
32
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.9%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
31
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
31
0.8%
+0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
28
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+517
+12.9pp
Western Catholic
-164
-5.7pp
Not stated
+129
+3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-179
-5.5pp
Uniting Church
-91
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+3
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-32
-1.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+1
0.0pp
Hinduism
+11
+0.2pp
Lutheran
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for East Mackay. 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,354 | 36.4% | 36.6% | 837 | 23.5% | 23.6% | +517 | +12.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 894 | 24.0% | 23.6% | 1,058 | 29.7% | 28.0% | -164 | -5.7pp |
| Not stated | 430 | 11.6% | 10.2% | 301 | 8.5% | 9.4% | +129 | +3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 402 | 10.8% | 11.6% | 581 | 16.3% | 16.3% | -179 | -5.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 212 | 5.7% | 6.0% | 303 | 8.5% | 8.5% | -91 | -2.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 88 | 2.4% | 2.6% | 85 | 2.4% | 2.7% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 71 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 103 | 2.9% | 2.9% | -32 | -1.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 32 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 31 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 31 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 28 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 27 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,718 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,562 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +156 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.