Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Baptist
Lutheran
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.