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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Western Downs (R), accounting for 30.3% (10,264 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,533 people and 13.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Western Downs (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Western Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Western Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Lutheran
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,533
+13.2pp
Western Catholic
-973
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,505
-4.6pp
Not stated
-413
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
-522
-1.6pp
Uniting Church
-435
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+122
+0.3pp
Lutheran
-194
-0.6pp
Baptist
-47
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-11
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Western Downs (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 | 10,264 | 30.3% | 40.1% | 5,731 | 17.1% | 27.9% | +4,533 | +13.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 6,561 | 19.4% | 18.7% | 7,534 | 22.5% | 22.0% | -973 | -3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,438 | 16.1% | 12.8% | 6,943 | 20.7% | 17.1% | -1,505 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,720 | 11.0% | 8.8% | 4,133 | 12.4% | 10.1% | -413 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,767 | 5.2% | 2.3% | 2,289 | 6.8% | 3.2% | -522 | -1.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,488 | 4.4% | 4.0% | 1,923 | 5.7% | 5.6% | -435 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,153 | 3.4% | 3.0% | 1,031 | 3.1% | 3.0% | +122 | +0.3pp |
| Lutheran | 925 | 2.7% | 1.1% | 1,119 | 3.3% | 1.3% | -194 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 639 | 1.9% | 1.4% | 686 | 2.1% | 1.6% | -47 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 463 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 474 | 1.4% | 1.2% | -11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 33,831 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +368 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.