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, Anglican Church of Australia was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Torres Strait Island (R), accounting for 32.9% (1,353 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (12.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Pentecostal, nfd, which increased by 439 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Torres Strait Island (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Torres Strait Island (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Torres Strait Island (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,353
% of total
32.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,353
32.9%
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
535
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+10.9pp
535
13.0%
+10.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
484
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
484
11.8%
+4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
396
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
396
9.6%
0.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
343
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
343
8.3%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
301
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
301
7.3%
-5.0pp
United Pentecostal
2021 count
158
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
158
3.8%
-1.2pp
Anglican Catholic Church
2021 count
157
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
157
3.8%
-2.8pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
2021 count
120
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
120
2.9%
-0.8pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
46
1.1%
+0.3pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Anglican Church of Australia
-111
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+439
+10.9pp
No Religion, so described
+174
+4.9pp
Not stated
-37
0.0pp
Western Catholic
-41
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-257
-5.0pp
United Pentecostal
-70
-1.2pp
Anglican Catholic Church
-142
-2.8pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
-45
-0.8pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+8
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Torres Strait Island (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 | |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,353 | 32.9% | 12.8% | 1,464 | 32.4% | 17.1% | -111 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 535 | 13.0% | 1.1% | 96 | 2.1% | 1.2% | +439 | +10.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 484 | 11.8% | 40.1% | 310 | 6.9% | 27.9% | +174 | +4.9pp |
| Not stated | 396 | 9.6% | 8.8% | 433 | 9.6% | 10.1% | -37 | 0.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 343 | 8.3% | 18.7% | 384 | 8.5% | 22.0% | -41 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 301 | 7.3% | 3.0% | 558 | 12.3% | 3.0% | -257 | -5.0pp |
| United Pentecostal | 158 | 3.8% | 0.0% | 228 | 5.0% | 0.0% | -70 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Catholic Church | 157 | 3.8% | 0.0% | 299 | 6.6% | 0.0% | -142 | -2.8pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 120 | 2.9% | 0.1% | 165 | 3.7% | 0.2% | -45 | -0.8pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 46 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 38 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,111 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,519 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -408 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.