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 Mareeba (S), accounting for 36.2% (8,270 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,722 people and 10.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mareeba (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mareeba (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mareeba (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,270
% of total
36.2%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
8,270
36.2%
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,791
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
4,791
21.0%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,853
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,853
16.9%
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,083
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
2,083
9.1%
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
622
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
622
2.7%
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
588
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
588
2.6%
+0.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
482
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
482
2.1%
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
463
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
463
2.0%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
242
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
242
1.1%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
209
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
209
0.9%
-0.2pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,722
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
-679
-4.4pp
Not stated
+269
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-487
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
-294
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+78
+0.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
-68
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
-69
-0.5pp
Baptist
-25
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-22
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Mareeba (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,270 | 36.2% | 40.1% | 5,548 | 25.8% | 27.9% | +2,722 | +10.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,791 | 21.0% | 18.7% | 5,470 | 25.4% | 22.0% | -679 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,853 | 16.9% | 8.8% | 3,584 | 16.6% | 10.1% | +269 | +0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,083 | 9.1% | 12.8% | 2,570 | 11.9% | 17.1% | -487 | -2.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 622 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 916 | 4.3% | 5.6% | -294 | -1.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 588 | 2.6% | 3.0% | 510 | 2.4% | 3.0% | +78 | +0.2pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 482 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 550 | 2.6% | 0.4% | -68 | -0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 463 | 2.0% | 2.3% | 532 | 2.5% | 3.2% | -69 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 242 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 267 | 1.2% | 1.6% | -25 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 209 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 231 | 1.1% | 1.1% | -22 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 22,845 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,533 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,312 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.