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, accounting for 35.9% (1,443 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 536 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Presbyterian
Islam
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+536
+10.9pp
Western Catholic
-142
-6.0pp
Not stated
+187
+3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-54
-2.3pp
Uniting Church
-88
-2.7pp
Hinduism
+4
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-9
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+14
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-37
-1.2pp
Islam
+17
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for 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 | 1,443 | 35.9% | 36.6% | 907 | 25.0% | 23.6% | +536 | +10.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 779 | 19.4% | 23.6% | 921 | 25.4% | 28.0% | -142 | -6.0pp |
| Not stated | 733 | 18.2% | 10.2% | 546 | 15.1% | 9.4% | +187 | +3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 300 | 7.5% | 11.6% | 354 | 9.8% | 16.3% | -54 | -2.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 115 | 2.9% | 6.0% | 203 | 5.6% | 8.5% | -88 | -2.7pp |
| Hinduism | 113 | 2.8% | 0.6% | 109 | 3.0% | 0.5% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 75 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 84 | 2.3% | 2.7% | -9 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 69 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 55 | 1.5% | 0.7% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 62 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 99 | 2.7% | 2.9% | -37 | -1.2pp |
| Islam | 44 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 27 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,017 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,621 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +396 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.