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 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
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Jehovah's Witnesses
Hinduism
Lutheran
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.