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, 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Baptist
Lutheran
Hinduism
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.