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 North Mackay, accounting for 37.2% (2,295 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 857 people and 12.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
North Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for North Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,295
% of total
37.2%
Change from 2016
+12.9pp
2,295
37.2%
+12.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,263
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
1,263
20.5%
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
687
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
687
11.1%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
586
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
586
9.5%
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
379
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
379
6.1%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
202
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
202
3.3%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
127
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
127
2.1%
-1.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
123
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
123
2.0%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
81
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
81
1.3%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
48
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
48
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+857
+12.9pp
Western Catholic
-184
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-193
-3.8pp
Not stated
-10
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
-83
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+16
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-72
-1.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-22
-0.4pp
Baptist
+3
0.0pp
Buddhism
-8
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for North 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 | 2,295 | 37.2% | 36.6% | 1,438 | 24.3% | 23.6% | +857 | +12.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,263 | 20.5% | 23.6% | 1,447 | 24.4% | 28.0% | -184 | -3.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 687 | 11.1% | 11.6% | 880 | 14.9% | 16.3% | -193 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 586 | 9.5% | 10.2% | 596 | 10.1% | 9.4% | -10 | -0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 379 | 6.1% | 6.0% | 462 | 7.8% | 8.5% | -83 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 202 | 3.3% | 2.6% | 186 | 3.1% | 2.7% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 127 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 199 | 3.4% | 2.9% | -72 | -1.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 123 | 2.0% | 0.9% | 145 | 2.4% | 1.1% | -22 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 81 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 78 | 1.3% | 1.0% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 48 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 56 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,173 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,921 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +252 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.