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 Moreton Bay (R), accounting for 43.7% (208,009 people). This share was higher than Greater Brisbane (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 76,769 people and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Moreton Bay (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Moreton Bay (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moreton Bay (R), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
208,009
% of total
43.7%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
208,009
43.7%
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
82,199
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
82,199
17.3%
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
55,201
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
55,201
11.6%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
29,552
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
29,552
6.2%
-2.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
17,257
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
17,257
3.6%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
16,601
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16,601
3.5%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
11,341
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11,341
2.4%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
10,104
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
10,104
2.1%
-0.9pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
5,812
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,812
1.2%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
5,044
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
5,044
1.1%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+76,769
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
-5,881
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-13,357
-4.5pp
Not stated
-6,610
-2.3pp
Uniting Church
-4,461
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,609
0.0pp
Baptist
+202
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-2,644
-0.9pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+575
0.0pp
Hinduism
+2,183
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Moreton Bay (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 208,009 | 43.7% | 41.4% | 131,240 | 30.9% | 30.6% | +76,769 | +12.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 82,199 | 17.3% | 18.5% | 88,080 | 20.7% | 21.4% | -5,881 | -3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 55,201 | 11.6% | 9.7% | 68,558 | 16.1% | 13.3% | -13,357 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 29,552 | 6.2% | 6.3% | 36,162 | 8.5% | 8.7% | -6,610 | -2.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 17,257 | 3.6% | 3.2% | 21,718 | 5.1% | 4.6% | -4,461 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 16,601 | 3.5% | 3.2% | 14,992 | 3.5% | 3.1% | +1,609 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 11,341 | 2.4% | 2.0% | 11,139 | 2.6% | 2.2% | +202 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 10,104 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 12,748 | 3.0% | 2.6% | -2,644 | -0.9pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 5,812 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 5,237 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +575 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 5,044 | 1.1% | 2.0% | 2,861 | 0.7% | 1.5% | +2,183 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 476,318 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 425,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +51,030 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.