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 Tiwi Islands (R), accounting for 77.9% (1,827 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (14.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 256 people and 7.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Tiwi Islands (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Tiwi Islands (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tiwi Islands (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,827
% of total
77.9%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
1,827
77.9%
-7.1pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
185
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
185
7.9%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
152
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
152
6.5%
+0.6pp
Own Spiritual Beliefs
2021 count
52
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
52
2.2%
-
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
2021 count
40
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
40
1.7%
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
25
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
1.1%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
19
0.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-256
-7.1pp
No Religion, so described
+49
+2.4pp
Not stated
+8
+0.6pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
+34
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
-1
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+7
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Tiwi Islands (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 1,827 | 77.9% | 14.9% | 2,083 | 85.0% | 17.7% | -256 | -7.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 185 | 7.9% | 32.6% | 136 | 5.5% | 24.2% | +49 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 152 | 6.5% | 12.9% | 144 | 5.9% | 17.2% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Own Spiritual Beliefs | 52 | 2.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions | 40 | 1.7% | 3.7% | 6 | 0.2% | 3.4% | +34 | +1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 25 | 1.1% | 4.9% | 26 | 1.1% | 2.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 19 | 0.8% | 6.3% | 12 | 0.5% | 8.0% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 2,344 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,452 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -108 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.