Broome, WA: suburb profile

The population of Broome WA is 3,797 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Broome is $967 per week ($50,284 per year). Median rent in Broome is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Broome has a median age of 36 years, younger than the national median of 38. Broome has a population density of 653 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Broome is England. The most common religion is No religion (41.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Australian Indigenous Languages. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Broome is $1,950.

Population
3,797
Census 2021
Median income
$967/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
36years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Broome vs the typical WA suburb

The median personal income in Broome is $967 a week, 20% above the typical WA suburb ($806). That ranks 159th of 701 WA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $300 a week, $20 less than the typical WA suburb. Rent takes 16.6% of the median household income here, against 18.6% in the typical WA suburb. The median resident is 36, 5 years younger than in the typical WA suburb (41).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBroomeTypical WADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$967/wk$806/wk +20%$766/wk
Household income$1,802/wk$1,722/wk +5%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$320/wk −6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,950/mo$1,759/mo +11%$1,733/mo
Median age3641 −5 yrs42
Rent share of household income16.6%18.6% −2.0 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Broome, the typical WA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Broome Population

3,797 residents at the 2021 Census.

Broome Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$967/wk
$50,284 per year
Ranked 1,461 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
36years
2 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,950/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 1 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Broome Rent Prices & Affordability

17% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,802/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 16.6%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Broome against your income

About $7,809 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $1,502/wk
Rent share 16.6%

Broome Schools

7
schools nearby
4
government
890
avg ICSEA score
2,552
total students
Roebuck Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 339 students
1006
ICSEA
Broome Senior High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 825 students
924
ICSEA
St Martin de Porres School Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 13 students
871
ICSEA
Broome Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 335 students
856
ICSEA
St Mary's College Catholic
Secondary · PP-12 · 741 students
844
ICSEA
Cable Beach Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 299 students
836
ICSEA
St Mary's College - Primary Campus Catholic
Primary

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Broome, with a map

Broome Map

Broome, Western Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Broome, Western Australia: 17.9584°S, 122.2346°E

Broome Schools (7)

People in Broome

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.1% (1,902) Female 49.9% (1,898)

Population Density

653
people per km²
3,797 people · 5.8 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
1
Persons per bedroom
$2,281
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.0%
Philippines
1.8%
New Zealand
1.6%
South Africa
0.7%
China
0.7%
India
0.7%
Germany
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Australian Indigenous Languages
3.0%
Spanish
1.2%
Filipino
0.9%
Thai
0.8%
Mandarin
0.7%
Tagalog
0.6%
French
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian Aboriginal
28.7%
English
24.4%
Australian
23.5%
Irish
7.1%
Scottish
6.2%
Chinese
2.7%
German
2.7%
Filipino
2.3%
Italian
2.3%
Dutch
1.3%
Welsh
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
41.5%
Catholic
23.8%
Not stated
21.2%
Anglican
4.8%
Buddhism
1.5%
Christian (other)
1.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed
0.8%
Uniting Church
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

33.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
26.9% 821
Separated
3.7% 114
Divorced
8.5% 259
Widowed
3.4% 105
Never married
57.4% 1,750

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
41.7%
Couple: no children
23.7%
One parent: children under 15
18.5%
Couple: no children under 15
8.3%
One parent: no children under 15
7.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
31.3%
2 persons
30.1%
3 persons
15.0%
4 persons
12.9%
5 persons
5.8%
6+ persons
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Broome

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,165 occupied private dwellings in Broome at the 2021 Census, 56.3% were rented, 14.4% owned outright and 22.7% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.6% 19 dwellings
Owned outright
14.4% 168 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
22.7% 265 dwellings
Rented
56.3% 656 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
5.2% 61 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
73.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
17.7%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
8.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
13.7%
2 bedrooms
23.9%
3 bedrooms
43.4%
4 bedrooms
16.2%
5 bedrooms
2.5%
6+ bedrooms
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.2%
$600-$799/mo
6.3%
$800-$999/mo
5.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
10.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
23.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
24.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
15.1%
1 vehicle
35.4%
2 vehicles
30.0%
3 vehicles
11.9%
4+ vehicles
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Broome

Employment

Employed full-time
45.2% 1,073 people
Employed part-time
18.0% 427 people
Unemployed
5.0% 118 people
Not in labour force
31.9% 758 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
28.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
14.7%
Managers
14.4%
Community & Personal Service
13.3%
Clerical & Administrative
11.8%
Labourers
8.0%
Sales Workers
5.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.9%
$1-$149/wk
0.9%
$150-$299/wk
2.3%
$300-$399/wk
5.4%
$400-$499/wk
5.7%
$500-$649/wk
3.2%
$650-$799/wk
4.9%
$800-$999/wk
5.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.2%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.5%
$4,000+/wk
12.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.5%
$1-$149/wk
3.4%
$150-$299/wk
5.8%
$300-$399/wk
5.1%
$400-$499/wk
3.1%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
7.5%
$800-$999/wk
9.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
10.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.7%
$3,500+/wk
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
61.8%
Did not go to work
10.5%
Walked only
10.2%
Car (passenger)
6.5%
Bicycle
5.8%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.6%
Other
1.5%
Bus
1.5%
Truck
0.4%
Train
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
57.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
12.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.8%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
33.8%
Bachelor Degree
30.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.3%
Postgraduate Degree
8.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.0%
Certificate I/II
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
17.6%
Health
16.7%
Society & Culture
16.1%
Engineering
13.4%
Education
10.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.0%
Architecture & Building
6.5%
Creative Arts
4.4%
Agriculture & Environment
3.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.7%
Information Technology
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.2%
Secondary: Government
25.1%
Vocational Education
14.1%
Secondary: Catholic
10.2%
Primary: Catholic
9.1%
Pre-school
7.4%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
77.4%
Has need for assistance
4.1%
Need for assistance not stated
18.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
208
Diabetes
79
Asthma
71
Arthritis
71
Heart disease
59
Lung condition
53
Cancer
47
Kidney disease
45
Stroke
28
Dementia
10

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
9.8% 232
Did not provide
90.2% 2,139

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
20.0% 472
Not a volunteer
80.0% 1,891

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.4% 9
Previously served
2.5% 60
Never served
97.1% 2,350

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
43.4%
1 child
13.5%
2 children
19.7%
3 children
13.7%
4 children
6.9%
5+ children
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
5
1951: 1960
15
1961: 1970
35
1971: 1980
55
1981: 1990
62
1991: 2000
31
2001: 2010
122
2011: 2015
94
2016
25
2017
22
2018
21
2019
78
2020
21
2021
16

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

23.2%
moved in the last year
51.8%
moved in the last 5 years
6.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
57.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,345
Moved: same area (SA2)
267
Moved from WA
260
Moved from QLD
42
Moved from overseas
30
Moved from NSW
27
Moved from NT
17
Moved from VIC
16
Moved from SA
14
Moved from ACT
4
Moved from TAS
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
23.5%
5: 14 hours
29.5%
15: 29 hours
9.5%
30+ hours
5.7%
Did not do domestic work
31.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
76.4%
Step family: no other children
11.6%
Blended family: no other children
5.1%
Intact family: other children present
3.3%
Other couple: children only
2.5%
Step family: other children present
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Kambalda West
Income: $1,012/wk Rent: $200/wk $100/wk less rent
Derby (WA)
Income: $855/wk Rent: $180/wk $120/wk less rent
Willagee
Income: $829/wk Rent: $283/wk $17/wk less rent
Glendalough
Income: $848/wk Rent: $280/wk $20/wk less rent
Osborne Park
Income: $920/wk Rent: $290/wk $10/wk less rent
Kununurra
Income: $1,153/wk Rent: $266/wk $34/wk less rent
Daglish
Income: $957/wk Rent: $295/wk $5/wk less rent
Boddington
Income: $838/wk Rent: $280/wk $20/wk less rent

Suburbs near Broome

The closest suburb to Broome is Djugun, 2.3 km away.

Djugun
2.3 km away · income $1,355/wk · rent $350/wk
Cable Beach
3.4 km away · income $1,166/wk · rent $371/wk
Bilingurr
4.9 km away · income $1,319/wk · rent $300/wk

Compare Broome

Frequently Asked Questions About Broome

What is the population of Broome WA?

The population of Broome WA is 3,797 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 653 people per km². Broome is ranked #2,005 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Broome?

The median personal income in Broome WA is $967 per week, or $50,284 per year. The median household income is $1,802 per week. Family income is $2,281 per week. Broome is ranked #1,461 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Broome?

Median rent in Broome WA is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 16.6% of household income, which is considered affordable. Broome ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Broome?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Broome WA is $1,950. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Broome?

The median age in Broome WA is 36 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Broome a good suburb to live in?

Broome is a suburb in Western Australia with a population of 3,797. The median income is $967/wk, which is above the typical WA suburb ($806/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (16.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 50190. All dollar figures in AUD.