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 Chinchilla, accounting for 34.3% (2,425 people). This share was higher than Western Downs (R) (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,185 people and 15.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Chinchilla - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Chinchilla in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chinchilla, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,425
% of total
34.3%
Change from 2016
+15.6pp
2,425
34.3%
+15.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,217
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,217
17.2%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
967
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
967
13.7%
-6.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
889
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
889
12.6%
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
368
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
368
5.2%
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
238
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
238
3.4%
+0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
234
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
234
3.3%
-1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
187
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
187
2.6%
+0.6pp
Lutheran
2021 count
168
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
168
2.4%
-0.9pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
2021 count
75
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
75
1.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,185
+15.6pp
Western Catholic
-115
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-366
-6.4pp
Not stated
-7
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
-109
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+42
+0.4pp
Presbyterian
-57
-1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+52
+0.6pp
Lutheran
-50
-0.9pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
+14
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Chinchilla. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,425 | 34.3% | 30.3% | 1,240 | 18.7% | 17.1% | +1,185 | +15.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,217 | 17.2% | 19.4% | 1,332 | 20.1% | 22.5% | -115 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 967 | 13.7% | 16.1% | 1,333 | 20.1% | 20.7% | -366 | -6.4pp |
| Not stated | 889 | 12.6% | 11.0% | 896 | 13.5% | 12.4% | -7 | -0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 368 | 5.2% | 4.4% | 477 | 7.2% | 5.7% | -109 | -2.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 238 | 3.4% | 3.4% | 196 | 3.0% | 3.1% | +42 | +0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 234 | 3.3% | 5.2% | 291 | 4.4% | 6.8% | -57 | -1.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 187 | 2.6% | 1.4% | 135 | 2.0% | 1.4% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Lutheran | 168 | 2.4% | 2.7% | 218 | 3.3% | 3.3% | -50 | -0.9pp |
| Churches of Christ (Conference) | 75 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 61 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 7,069 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,617 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +452 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.