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, Anglican Church of Australia was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Thursday Island, accounting for 27.9% (787 people). This share was higher than Torres (S) (26.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 147 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Thursday Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Thursday Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Torres (S) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thursday Island, with comparison markers for Torres (S).
Anglican Church of Australia
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
Anglican Catholic Church
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Pentecostal, nfd
United Pentecostal
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Anglican Church of Australia
-40
-0.2pp
No Religion, so described
+147
+5.9pp
Western Catholic
-26
-0.3pp
Not stated
-255
-8.3pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
0
+0.3pp
Anglican Catholic Church
+37
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-18
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-5
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+16
+0.7pp
United Pentecostal
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Thursday Island. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 787 | 27.9% | 26.2% | 827 | 28.1% | 26.5% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 566 | 20.1% | 21.9% | 419 | 14.2% | 14.5% | +147 | +5.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 398 | 14.1% | 15.1% | 424 | 14.4% | 15.4% | -26 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 231 | 8.2% | 8.5% | 486 | 16.5% | 17.6% | -255 | -8.3pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 151 | 5.4% | 5.0% | 151 | 5.1% | 4.7% | 0 | +0.3pp |
| Anglican Catholic Church | 108 | 3.8% | 3.2% | 71 | 2.4% | 2.1% | +37 | +1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 104 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 122 | 4.1% | 3.5% | -18 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 76 | 2.7% | 2.7% | 81 | 2.8% | 3.4% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 76 | 2.7% | 2.7% | 60 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +16 | +0.7pp |
| United Pentecostal | 69 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 71 | 2.4% | 2.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,942 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -125 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.