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 Sunshine Coast (R), accounting for 46.1% (157,888 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 59,395 people and 12.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunshine Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunshine Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
157,888
% of total
46.1%
Change from 2016
+12.6pp
157,888
46.1%
+12.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
53,893
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
53,893
15.7%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
41,405
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
41,405
12.1%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
22,955
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
22,955
6.7%
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
12,751
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
12,751
3.7%
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
11,553
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
11,553
3.4%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
7,064
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
7,064
2.1%
-1.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
6,796
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
6,796
2.0%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
4,485
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,485
1.3%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,384
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,384
1.0%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+59,395
+12.6pp
Western Catholic
+113
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-7,629
-4.6pp
Not stated
-1,991
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-2,993
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,376
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1,956
-1.0pp
Baptist
+161
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+70
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-131
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Sunshine Coast (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 | 157,888 | 46.1% | 40.1% | 98,493 | 33.5% | 27.9% | +59,395 | +12.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 53,893 | 15.7% | 18.7% | 53,780 | 18.3% | 22.0% | +113 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 41,405 | 12.1% | 12.8% | 49,034 | 16.7% | 17.1% | -7,629 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 22,955 | 6.7% | 8.8% | 24,946 | 8.5% | 10.1% | -1,991 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 12,751 | 3.7% | 4.0% | 15,744 | 5.3% | 5.6% | -2,993 | -1.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 11,553 | 3.4% | 3.0% | 10,177 | 3.5% | 3.0% | +1,376 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 7,064 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 9,020 | 3.1% | 3.2% | -1,956 | -1.0pp |
| Baptist | 6,796 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 6,635 | 2.3% | 1.6% | +161 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 4,485 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 4,415 | 1.5% | 1.2% | +70 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 3,384 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 3,515 | 1.2% | 1.1% | -131 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 342,540 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 294,393 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +48,147 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.