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
2021 count
2,364
% of total
41.7%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
2,364
41.7%
+14.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,268
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,268
22.4%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
603
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
603
10.6%
-5.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
459
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
459
8.1%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
240
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
240
4.2%
-1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
196
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
196
3.5%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
65
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
65
1.1%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
63
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
63
1.1%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
62
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
62
1.1%
-1.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
55
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
55
1.0%
+0.2pp
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.