Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Toowoomba (R), accounting for 31.7% (54,911 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 22,729 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Toowoomba (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Toowoomba (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Toowoomba (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+22,729
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
-2,752
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,879
-4.1pp
Not stated
-2,720
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,245
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-2,006
-1.6pp
Lutheran
-932
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
-1,389
-1.1pp
Baptist
-86
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-277
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Toowoomba (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 | 54,911 | 31.7% | 40.1% | 32,182 | 20.0% | 27.9% | +22,729 | +11.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 34,597 | 20.0% | 18.7% | 37,349 | 23.2% | 22.0% | -2,752 | -3.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 25,726 | 14.9% | 12.8% | 30,605 | 19.0% | 17.1% | -4,879 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 11,453 | 6.6% | 8.8% | 14,173 | 8.8% | 10.1% | -2,720 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 8,636 | 5.0% | 3.0% | 7,391 | 4.6% | 3.0% | +1,245 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 7,516 | 4.3% | 4.0% | 9,522 | 5.9% | 5.6% | -2,006 | -1.6pp |
| Lutheran | 5,445 | 3.1% | 1.1% | 6,377 | 4.0% | 1.3% | -932 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 4,416 | 2.5% | 2.3% | 5,805 | 3.6% | 3.2% | -1,389 | -1.1pp |
| Baptist | 2,386 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2,472 | 1.5% | 1.6% | -86 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 2,199 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 2,476 | 1.5% | 1.2% | -277 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 173,189 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 160,769 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,420 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.