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 Whitsunday (R), accounting for 42.1% (15,639 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (40.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,104 people and 13.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Whitsunday (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Whitsunday (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whitsunday (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
15,639
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+13.9pp
15,639
42.1%
+13.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
6,386
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
6,386
17.2%
-3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,686
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
4,686
12.6%
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,424
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
4,424
11.9%
-4.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,917
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,917
5.2%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
744
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
744
2.0%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
700
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
700
1.9%
-1.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
367
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
367
1.0%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
338
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
338
0.9%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
230
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
230
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,104
+13.9pp
Western Catholic
-570
-3.4pp
Not stated
-196
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,198
-4.8pp
Uniting Church
-403
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-57
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-294
-1.0pp
Baptist
-40
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-83
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-32
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Whitsunday (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 | 15,639 | 42.1% | 40.1% | 9,535 | 28.2% | 27.9% | +6,104 | +13.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 6,386 | 17.2% | 18.7% | 6,956 | 20.6% | 22.0% | -570 | -3.4pp |
| Not stated | 4,686 | 12.6% | 8.8% | 4,882 | 14.5% | 10.1% | -196 | -1.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,424 | 11.9% | 12.8% | 5,622 | 16.7% | 17.1% | -1,198 | -4.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,917 | 5.2% | 4.0% | 2,320 | 6.9% | 5.6% | -403 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 744 | 2.0% | 3.0% | 801 | 2.4% | 3.0% | -57 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 700 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 994 | 2.9% | 3.2% | -294 | -1.0pp |
| Baptist | 367 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 407 | 1.2% | 1.6% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 338 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 421 | 1.2% | 1.1% | -83 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 230 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 262 | 0.8% | 1.2% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 37,129 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,754 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,375 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.