According to the 2021 Australian census, 43.9 percent of Australians identified as Christian. By comparison, Islam and Buddhism both represented roughly five percent of the population respectively. Over a third of the population indicated that they had no religion, however this category also included secular and other spiritual beliefs.

In 2021, over 11 million people in Australia affiliated with Christianity, making it the leading religious affiliation among the Australian population that year. In the younger age groups, the number of people who affiliated with secular beliefs, other spiritual beliefs, and no religious affiliation was greater than those who affiliated with Christianity.

When asked about their personal attitude towards various religions in Australia, ** percent of Australians surveyed had a negative attitude towards Muslims. Buddhists appeared to be least likely to elicit negative responses and around ** percent of respondents responded negatively to Christians.

 Islam in Australia

Muslims represent almost a quarter of the religious diversity in the Asia Pacific region and Australia’s neighbor, Indonesia, has the largest Muslim population in the world. In Australia, Islam is the second largest religious group but less than ***** percent of the population are Muslim, compared to over ** percent of the population identifying as Christian. The Australian Muslim community is very diverse, consisting of migrants from Bangladesh, Lebanon, Turkey, as well as Australian-born Muslims of European heritage.

 Australians increasingly less religious

The 2016 Australian census revealed that an ever-increasing number of Australians are selecting “no religion” in the optional census question on religious affiliation. This drop in religious affiliation is a common trend in many economically developed countries, although some of Australia’s minority religions like Islam and Buddhism are still showing some growth. In contrast, Christianity appears to be declining, especially amongst people under the age of **, an age group that also recorded higher numbers of people with no religion.

Australian religious services have struggled to tap into the country's growing population and facilitate ongoing donations from younger generations. A growing portion of Australians self-identify as non-religious, significantly eroding total activity in this industry. This trend has continued, despite high immigration rates from regions with strong religious adherence. While attendance has risen since pandemic lockdowns, the decline in adherence to most traditional Christian faiths is outstripping growth in adherence to most non-Christian religions. However, a recent surge in migration, coupled with the integration of online services and digital donations, has helped stem this downwards trend. Many donations are coming through online channels, keeping in-person costs lower and allowing religious institutions to grow their funding surpluses. Overall, revenue generated by religious groups is expected to shrink at an annualised 0.9% over the five years through 2025-26, to $4.3 billion. Cost-of-living pressures have weighed on religious donations for much of the period. However, with interest rates dropping, migration climbing and inflation easing, there's renewed optimism for a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. Still, soaring rental costs continue to put many consumers under financial strain, limiting their ability to contribute to their religious organisation. Declines have been mostly seen among lower and middle-income earners who are struggling to cover rental costs and service their mortgages. Higher income earners are more insulated against changing economic conditions and have largely sustained their donation spending. As these higher income earners account for around 65% of donations, industry revenue has been protected from steeper declines. These trends are expected to contribute to a 1.2% decline in industry revenue in the current year. Despite the nation becoming increasingly secular, growth in household discretionary income, strong net migration and improving consumer sentiment are set to boost donations to religious organisations over the next few years. Even so, falling religious adherence and attendance at religious services will limit revenue growth. This includes Australia's main religious affiliation, with Christians also attending church less frequently on average. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 0.8% through the end of 2030-31, to reach $4.5 billion.

In 2021, almost 40 percent of Generation Z, or those aged 10 to 24 years at the time, were affiliated with Christianity in Australia. The largest share of Gen Z were not affiliated with any religion that year.

SA2 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by SA2 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

In 2021, just under ** percent of people in Australia identified as belonging to a Christian faith. Almost ** percent of people surveyed stated that they identified as having no religion.

The 1991 Census Basic Community profiles present 57 tables containing summary characteristics of persons and/or dwellings for Local Government Areas (LGA) in Australia.

This table contains data relating to religion by sex. Counts are of all persons, based on place of enumeration on census night which; includes overseas visitors; excludes Australians overseas; and excludes adjustment for under-enumeration. The data is by LGA 1991 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly.

This data is ABS data (cat. no. 2101.0 & original geographic boundary cat. no. 1261.0.30.001) used with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The tabular data was processed and supplied to AURIN by the Australian Data Archives. The cleaned, high resolution 1991 geographic boundaries are available from data.gov.au.

For more information please refer to the 1991 Census Dictionary.

Please note:

• (a) Comprises 'Churches of Christ' and 'Churches of Christ Non-denominational'.

• (b) Comprises 'Presbyterian so described' and 'Reformed'.

• (c) Includes 'Humanist/Materialist'.

Local Government Area (LGA) based data for Religion, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 1986 Census of Population and Housing. Census counts were based on place of usual residence which excludes overseas visitors, Australians overseas, and adjustments for under-enumeration. The data is by LGA 1986 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. This data is used with permission from the ABS. The tabular data was supplied to AURIN by the Australian Data Archives. The cleaned, high resolution 1986 geographic boundaries (cat. no. 1261.0.30.001) are available from Data.gov.au. For more information please refer to the 1986 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2102.0).

This dataset presents a range of data items sourced from a wide variety of collections, both Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and non-ABS. The data is derived from the November 2024 release of Data by region. Individual data items present the latest reference year data available on Data by region. This layer presents data by Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2), 2021.

The Population and people theme is based on groupings of data within Data by region. Concepts, sources and methods for each dataset can be found on the Data by region methodology page.

The Population and people theme includes:

  Estimated resident population (including age by sex)
  Births and deaths
  Internal and overseas migration
  Census data

When analysing these statistics:

Time periods, definitions, methodologies, scope, and coverage can differ across collections.
Some data values have been randomly adjusted or suppressed to avoid the release of confidential data, this means

    some small cells have been randomly set to zero
    care should be taken when interpreting cells with small numbers or zeros.

Data and geography references

Source data publication: Data by region Geographic boundary information: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 Further information: Data by region methodology, reference period 2011-24 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

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Contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Email geography@abs.gov.au if you have any questions or feedback about this web service.
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About this dataset

Context

This list ranks the 7 cities in the Christian County, IL by Australian population, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau. It also highlights population changes in each city over the past five years.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, including:

• 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Variables / Data Columns

• Rank by Australian Population: This column displays the rank of city in the Christian County, IL by their Australian population, using the most recent ACS data available.
• City: The City for which the rank is shown in the previous column.
• Australian Population: The Australian population of the city is shown in this column.
• % of Total City Population: This shows what percentage of the total city population identifies as Australian. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• % of Total Christian County Australian Population: This tells us how much of the entire Christian County, IL Australian population lives in that city. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• 5 Year Rank Trend: This column displays the rank trend across the last 5 years.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

SA3 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by SA3 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are …Show full descriptionSA3 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by SA3 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census. Copyright attribution: Government of the Commonwealth of Australia - Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2017): ; accessed from AURIN on 12/3/2020. Licence type: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia (CC BY 2.5 AU)

The 1981 Census Collection District Summary File (CDSF) presents summary characteristics of persons and their dwellings for every Collection District (CD) in Australia for 1981. The census information is made up of 34 tables giving data for both persons and dwellings.

This table contains data on religious denomination. Census counts were based on place of enumeration on census night which; includes overseas visitors; excludes Australians overseas; and excludes adjustment for under-enumeration. The data is by Census Collection District 1981 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly.

This data is ABS data (cat. no. 2103.0 & original geographic boundary cat. no. 1261.0.30.001) used with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The tabular data was processed and supplied to AURIN by the Australian Data Archives. The cleaned, high resolution 1981 geographic boundaries are available from data.gov.au.

For more information please refer to "Making Sense of Census 1981".

SA4 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by SA4 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census. Copyright attribution: Government of …Show full descriptionSA4 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by SA4 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census. Copyright attribution: Government of the Commonwealth of Australia - Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2017): ; accessed from AURIN on 12/3/2020. Licence type: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia (CC BY 2.5 AU)

The 1981 Census Local Government Area Summary File (LGASF) presents summary characteristics of persons and their dwellings for every Local Government Area (LGA) in Australia for 1981. The census information is made up of 34 tables giving data for both persons and dwellings.

This table contains data on religious denomination. Census counts were based on place of enumeration on census night which; includes overseas visitors; excludes Australians overseas; and excludes adjustment for under-enumeration. The data is by Local Government Area 1981 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly.

This data is ABS data (cat. no. 2103.0 & original geographic boundary cat. no. 1261.0.30.001) used with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The tabular data was processed and supplied to AURIN by the Australian Data Archives. The cleaned, high resolution 1981 geographic boundaries are available from data.gov.au.

For more information please refer to "Making Sense of Census 1981".

Please note: Some LGAs were broken down into parts in the original LGA Summary File (e.g. CABONNE (S) (PART A), CABONNE (S) (PART B), CABONNE (S) (PART C)). AURIN has aggregated the data values for the LGA parts where this has occurred.

About this dataset

Context

This list ranks the 4 cities in the Christian County, KY by Australian population, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau. It also highlights population changes in each city over the past five years.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, including:

• 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Variables / Data Columns

• Rank by Australian Population: This column displays the rank of city in the Christian County, KY by their Australian population, using the most recent ACS data available.
• City: The City for which the rank is shown in the previous column.
• Australian Population: The Australian population of the city is shown in this column.
• % of Total City Population: This shows what percentage of the total city population identifies as Australian. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• % of Total Christian County Australian Population: This tells us how much of the entire Christian County, KY Australian population lives in that city. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• 5 Year Rank Trend: This column displays the rank trend across the last 5 years.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Religious Services industry in Australia

LGA based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, in General Community Profile (GCP), 2016 Census. Count of persons. The data is by LGA 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

SA3 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, for 2011 Census. Count of all persons on Census night based on place of usual residence. Data sourced from: http://www.abs.gov.au/census. For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Services on 1300 135 070. Periodicity: 5-Yearly.

LGA11 based data for Religious Affiliation by Sex, for 2011 Census. Count of all persons on Census night based on place of usual residence. Data sourced from: http://www.abs.gov.au/census. For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Services on 1300 135 070. Periodicity: 5-Yearly.