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 South Mackay, accounting for 34.1% (2,364 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (36.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 780 people and 10.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
South Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for South Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,364
% of total
34.1%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
2,364
34.1%
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,884
% of total
27.2%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,884
27.2%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
756
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
756
10.9%
-4.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
647
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
647
9.3%
+1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
447
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
447
6.5%
-2.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
168
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
168
2.4%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
134
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
134
1.9%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
74
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
74
1.1%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
64
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
64
0.9%
-0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
50
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
50
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+780
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
-114
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-257
-4.3pp
Not stated
+107
+1.2pp
Uniting Church
-167
-2.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-52
-0.9pp
Buddhism
+15
+0.2pp
Baptist
-10
-0.2pp
Lutheran
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for South 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 | 2,364 | 34.1% | 36.6% | 1,584 | 23.7% | 23.6% | +780 | +10.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,884 | 27.2% | 23.6% | 1,998 | 29.9% | 28.0% | -114 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 756 | 10.9% | 11.6% | 1,013 | 15.2% | 16.3% | -257 | -4.3pp |
| Not stated | 647 | 9.3% | 10.2% | 540 | 8.1% | 9.4% | +107 | +1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 447 | 6.5% | 6.0% | 614 | 9.2% | 8.5% | -167 | -2.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 168 | 2.4% | 2.6% | 153 | 2.3% | 2.7% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 134 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 186 | 2.8% | 2.9% | -52 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 74 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 59 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 64 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 74 | 1.1% | 1.0% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 50 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 49 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,924 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,685 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +239 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.