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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in West Mackay, accounting for 30.6% (1,998 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (23.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 755 people and 10.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
West Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for West Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,998
% of total
30.6%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
1,998
30.6%
-3.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,970
% of total
30.2%
Change from 2016
+10.6pp
1,970
30.2%
+10.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
759
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
759
11.6%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
656
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
656
10.0%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
416
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
416
6.4%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
126
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
126
1.9%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
113
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
113
1.7%
-1.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
56
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
56
0.9%
0.0pp
Lutheran
2021 count
49
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
49
0.8%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
48
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
48
0.7%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-86
-3.0pp
No Religion, so described
+755
+10.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-154
-3.1pp
Not stated
-43
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-89
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+20
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-73
-1.3pp
Baptist
-1
0.0pp
Lutheran
-18
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+21
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for West 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 | |
| Western Catholic | 1,998 | 30.6% | 23.6% | 2,084 | 33.6% | 28.0% | -86 | -3.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,970 | 30.2% | 36.6% | 1,215 | 19.6% | 23.6% | +755 | +10.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 759 | 11.6% | 11.6% | 913 | 14.7% | 16.3% | -154 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 656 | 10.0% | 10.2% | 699 | 11.3% | 9.4% | -43 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 416 | 6.4% | 6.0% | 505 | 8.1% | 8.5% | -89 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 126 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 106 | 1.7% | 2.7% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 113 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 186 | 3.0% | 2.9% | -73 | -1.3pp |
| Baptist | 56 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 57 | 0.9% | 1.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Lutheran | 49 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 67 | 1.1% | 1.0% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 48 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +21 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 6,533 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,202 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +331 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.