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 Rural View, accounting for 41.7% (2,364 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,027 people and 14 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rural View - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rural View in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rural View, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Pentecostal, nfd
Baptist
Presbyterian
Seventh-day Adventist
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,027
+14.0pp
Western Catholic
+48
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-185
-5.7pp
Not stated
+7
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-56
-1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+26
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-2
-0.3pp
Baptist
+16
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-49
-1.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+18
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Rural View. 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 | 2,364 | 41.7% | 36.6% | 1,337 | 27.7% | 23.6% | +1,027 | +14.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,268 | 22.4% | 23.6% | 1,220 | 25.3% | 28.0% | +48 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 603 | 10.6% | 11.6% | 788 | 16.3% | 16.3% | -185 | -5.7pp |
| Not stated | 459 | 8.1% | 10.2% | 452 | 9.4% | 9.4% | +7 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 240 | 4.2% | 6.0% | 296 | 6.1% | 8.5% | -56 | -1.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 196 | 3.5% | 2.6% | 170 | 3.5% | 2.7% | +26 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 65 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 67 | 1.4% | 1.1% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 63 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 47 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 62 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 111 | 2.3% | 2.9% | -49 | -1.2pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 55 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 37 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,666 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,823 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +843 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.