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 Southern Downs (R), accounting for 31.4% (11,398 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,584 people and 9.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Southern Downs (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Southern Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
11,398
% of total
31.4%
Change from 2016
+9.2pp
11,398
31.4%
+9.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,891
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
7,891
21.7%
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,276
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
6,276
17.3%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,474
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,474
9.6%
+1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,058
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,058
5.7%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,079
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,079
3.0%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,041
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,041
2.9%
-0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
550
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
550
1.5%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
319
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
319
0.9%
-0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
272
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
272
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,584
+9.2pp
Western Catholic
-884
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,141
-3.8pp
Not stated
+442
+1.0pp
Uniting Church
-388
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-240
-0.7pp
Baptist
-81
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-19
-0.1pp
Lutheran
-40
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Southern Downs (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 | 11,398 | 31.4% | 40.1% | 7,814 | 22.2% | 27.9% | +3,584 | +9.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,891 | 21.7% | 18.7% | 8,775 | 25.0% | 22.0% | -884 | -3.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,276 | 17.3% | 12.8% | 7,417 | 21.1% | 17.1% | -1,141 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 3,474 | 9.6% | 8.8% | 3,032 | 8.6% | 10.1% | +442 | +1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,058 | 5.7% | 4.0% | 2,446 | 7.0% | 5.6% | -388 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,079 | 3.0% | 3.0% | 1,058 | 3.0% | 3.0% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,041 | 2.9% | 2.3% | 1,281 | 3.6% | 3.2% | -240 | -0.7pp |
| Baptist | 550 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 631 | 1.8% | 1.6% | -81 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 319 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 338 | 1.0% | 1.2% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 272 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 312 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 36,290 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 35,140 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,150 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.