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 Noosa (S), accounting for 48.2% (27,146 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,898 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Noosa (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Noosa (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Noosa (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
27,146
% of total
48.2%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
27,146
48.2%
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
8,472
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
8,472
15.1%
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,636
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
7,636
13.6%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,487
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,487
8.0%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,718
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,718
3.1%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,301
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,301
2.3%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,195
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,195
2.1%
-1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
621
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
621
1.1%
-0.3pp
Lutheran
2021 count
468
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
468
0.8%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
461
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
461
0.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,898
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
-674
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,496
-3.9pp
Not stated
-366
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-558
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+26
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-421
-1.0pp
Buddhism
-127
-0.3pp
Lutheran
-86
-0.3pp
Baptist
-46
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Noosa (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 | 27,146 | 48.2% | 40.1% | 19,248 | 36.9% | 27.9% | +7,898 | +11.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 8,472 | 15.1% | 18.7% | 9,146 | 17.5% | 22.0% | -674 | -2.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,636 | 13.6% | 12.8% | 9,132 | 17.5% | 17.1% | -1,496 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 4,487 | 8.0% | 8.8% | 4,853 | 9.3% | 10.1% | -366 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,718 | 3.1% | 4.0% | 2,276 | 4.4% | 5.6% | -558 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,301 | 2.3% | 3.0% | 1,275 | 2.4% | 3.0% | +26 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,195 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 1,616 | 3.1% | 3.2% | -421 | -1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 621 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 748 | 1.4% | 1.1% | -127 | -0.3pp |
| Lutheran | 468 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 554 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -86 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 461 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 507 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -46 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 56,277 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 52,148 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,129 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.