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 Ooralea, accounting for 31.2% (1,155 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 464 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ooralea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ooralea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ooralea, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,155
% of total
31.2%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
1,155
31.2%
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,101
% of total
29.7%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
1,101
29.7%
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
417
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
417
11.2%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
276
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
276
7.4%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
266
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
266
7.2%
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
91
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
91
2.5%
+0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
82
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
82
2.2%
+0.9pp
Islam
2021 count
55
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
55
1.5%
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
54
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
54
1.5%
-0.8pp
Baptist
2021 count
35
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
35
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+464
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
-30
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-62
-3.1pp
Not stated
-3
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-67
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+23
+0.5pp
Hinduism
+40
+0.9pp
Islam
+25
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
-23
-0.8pp
Baptist
+3
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Ooralea. 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 | 1,155 | 31.2% | 36.6% | 691 | 20.7% | 23.6% | +464 | +10.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,101 | 29.7% | 23.6% | 1,131 | 33.9% | 28.0% | -30 | -4.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 417 | 11.2% | 11.6% | 479 | 14.3% | 16.3% | -62 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 276 | 7.4% | 10.2% | 279 | 8.4% | 9.4% | -3 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 266 | 7.2% | 6.0% | 333 | 10.0% | 8.5% | -67 | -2.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 91 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 68 | 2.0% | 2.7% | +23 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 82 | 2.2% | 0.6% | 42 | 1.3% | 0.5% | +40 | +0.9pp |
| Islam | 55 | 1.5% | 0.3% | 30 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +25 | +0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 54 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 77 | 2.3% | 2.9% | -23 | -0.8pp |
| Baptist | 35 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 32 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 3,707 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,338 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +369 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.