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 Townsville (C), accounting for 39.9% (76,979 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 23,921 people and 11.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Townsville (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Townsville (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Townsville (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
76,979
% of total
39.9%
Change from 2016
+11.5pp
76,979
39.9%
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
43,301
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
43,301
22.5%
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
21,716
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
21,716
11.3%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
17,435
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
17,435
9.0%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
7,001
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
7,001
3.6%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,747
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4,747
2.5%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
4,265
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
4,265
2.2%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,428
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,428
1.3%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
2,009
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,009
1.0%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,538
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,538
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+23,921
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
-6,025
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-6,724
-3.9pp
Not stated
-796
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-2,506
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+364
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-1,578
-0.9pp
Baptist
+47
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-263
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-45
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Townsville (C). 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 | 76,979 | 39.9% | 40.1% | 53,058 | 28.4% | 27.9% | +23,921 | +11.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 43,301 | 22.5% | 18.7% | 49,326 | 26.4% | 22.0% | -6,025 | -3.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 21,716 | 11.3% | 12.8% | 28,440 | 15.2% | 17.1% | -6,724 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 17,435 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 18,231 | 9.8% | 10.1% | -796 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 7,001 | 3.6% | 4.0% | 9,507 | 5.1% | 5.6% | -2,506 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,747 | 2.5% | 3.0% | 4,383 | 2.3% | 3.0% | +364 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 4,265 | 2.2% | 2.3% | 5,843 | 3.1% | 3.2% | -1,578 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 2,428 | 1.3% | 1.4% | 2,381 | 1.3% | 1.6% | +47 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 2,009 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 2,272 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -263 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 1,538 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 1,583 | 0.8% | 1.1% | -45 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 192,690 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 186,763 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,927 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.