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 Palm Island (S), accounting for 46.4% (971 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (18.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 265 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Palm Island (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Palm Island (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Island (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Western Catholic
2021 count
971
% of total
46.4%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
971
46.4%
-4.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
338
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+8.1pp
338
16.1%
+8.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
322
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
322
15.4%
-3.7pp
Aboriginal Evangelical Missions
2021 count
174
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
174
8.3%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
146
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
146
7.0%
+4.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
41
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
41
2.0%
-3.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
26
1.2%
+0.4pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
2021 count
20
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
20
1.0%
+0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
17
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
17
0.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-265
-4.2pp
No Religion, so described
+142
+8.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-146
-3.7pp
Aboriginal Evangelical Missions
-35
-0.3pp
Not stated
+76
+4.1pp
Baptist
-82
-3.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
+0.4pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
+17
+0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+6
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Palm Island (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 971 | 46.4% | 18.7% | 1,236 | 50.6% | 22.0% | -265 | -4.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 338 | 16.1% | 40.1% | 196 | 8.0% | 27.9% | +142 | +8.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 322 | 15.4% | 12.8% | 468 | 19.1% | 17.1% | -146 | -3.7pp |
| Aboriginal Evangelical Missions | 174 | 8.3% | 0.0% | 209 | 8.6% | 0.0% | -35 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 146 | 7.0% | 8.8% | 70 | 2.9% | 10.1% | +76 | +4.1pp |
| Baptist | 41 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 123 | 5.0% | 1.6% | -82 | -3.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 26 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 19 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +7 | +0.4pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 20 | 1.0% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 17 | 0.8% | 3.0% | 11 | 0.5% | 3.0% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 2,094 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,444 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -350 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.