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 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
2021 count
54,911
% of total
31.7%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
54,911
31.7%
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
34,597
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
34,597
20.0%
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
25,726
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
25,726
14.9%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
11,453
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
11,453
6.6%
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
8,636
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
8,636
5.0%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
7,516
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
7,516
4.3%
-1.6pp
Lutheran
2021 count
5,445
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
5,445
3.1%
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
4,416
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
4,416
2.5%
-1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,386
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,386
1.4%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
2,199
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,199
1.3%
-0.2pp
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.