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 Atherton, accounting for 37.8% (2,914 people). This share was lower than Tablelands (R) (39.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 839 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Atherton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Atherton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Atherton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,914
% of total
37.8%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
2,914
37.8%
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,485
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
1,485
19.3%
-5.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
881
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
881
11.4%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
845
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
845
11.0%
+1.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
308
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
308
4.0%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
266
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
266
3.4%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
239
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
239
3.1%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
149
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
149
1.9%
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
96
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
96
1.2%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
88
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
88
1.1%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+839
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
-300
-5.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-194
-3.3pp
Not stated
+169
+1.7pp
Uniting Church
-97
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-11
-0.3pp
Baptist
+31
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-10
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-22
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Atherton. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,914 | 37.8% | 39.6% | 2,075 | 28.4% | 29.5% | +839 | +9.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,485 | 19.3% | 17.8% | 1,785 | 24.4% | 21.9% | -300 | -5.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 881 | 11.4% | 11.7% | 1,075 | 14.7% | 15.5% | -194 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 845 | 11.0% | 11.8% | 676 | 9.3% | 11.2% | +169 | +1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 308 | 4.0% | 4.4% | 405 | 5.5% | 6.0% | -97 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 266 | 3.4% | 3.2% | 262 | 3.6% | 3.0% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 239 | 3.1% | 2.5% | 250 | 3.4% | 3.5% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 149 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 118 | 1.6% | 1.8% | +31 | +0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 96 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 106 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 88 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 110 | 1.5% | 1.1% | -22 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 7,714 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,304 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +410 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.