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 Rockhampton (R), accounting for 37% (30,344 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 12,267 people and 14.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rockhampton (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rockhampton (R) 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 Rockhampton (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
30,344
% of total
37.0%
Change from 2016
+14.3pp
30,344
37.0%
+14.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
17,992
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
17,992
22.0%
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,288
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
10,288
12.6%
-4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,083
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
7,083
8.6%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
4,115
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
4,115
5.0%
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,290
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,290
2.8%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,073
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,073
2.5%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,639
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,639
2.0%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
982
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
982
1.2%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
857
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
857
1.0%
+0.2pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+12,267
+14.3pp
Western Catholic
-3,003
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,634
-4.9pp
Not stated
-209
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-1,371
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
-949
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-105
-0.2pp
Baptist
-235
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-44
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+252
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Rockhampton (R). 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 | 30,344 | 37.0% | 40.1% | 18,077 | 22.7% | 27.9% | +12,267 | +14.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 17,992 | 22.0% | 18.7% | 20,995 | 26.3% | 22.0% | -3,003 | -4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,288 | 12.6% | 12.8% | 13,922 | 17.5% | 17.1% | -3,634 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 7,083 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 7,292 | 9.1% | 10.1% | -209 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 4,115 | 5.0% | 4.0% | 5,486 | 6.9% | 5.6% | -1,371 | -1.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,290 | 2.8% | 2.3% | 3,239 | 4.1% | 3.2% | -949 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,073 | 2.5% | 3.0% | 2,178 | 2.7% | 3.0% | -105 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 1,639 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 1,874 | 2.4% | 1.6% | -235 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 982 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1,026 | 1.3% | 1.2% | -44 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 857 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 605 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +252 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 81,936 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 79,714 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.