Broome

Population growth drivers in Broome are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Broome's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 16,524. This figure represents a 12.7% increase from the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,660. The growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 16,506 in June 2025 and an additional 579 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 330 persons per square kilometer. Broome's growth rate exceeded the national average (9.3%) and that of the Rest of WA, indicating it as a region leader in population growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimations, AreaSearch utilises ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with the area expected to increase by 2,008 persons by 2041, reflecting a 12.0% total increase over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Broome among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Broome averaged approximately 73 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY21 and FY25366 homes were approved, with a further 68 approved in FY26 to date. On average, each dwelling built over the past five financial years has resulted in the gain of 3 new residents per year, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average value of new homes being constructed is $366,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In FY26, commercial approvals totaling $59.5 million have been registered, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of WA, Broome records 66.0% more construction activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers. The majority of new building activity consists of standalone homes (93.0%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 7.0%, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (78.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. With around 204 people per approval, Broome reflects a developing area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Broome is forecasted to gain 1,990 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Broome has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Broome Boating Facility, Walmanyjun Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment, Yinajalan Ngarrungunil Health and Wellbeing Campus, and Town Beach Cafe Redevelopment. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The labour market in Broome demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Broome has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.7%. As of December 2025, there were 9,216 residents employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.7% higher than Regional WA's rate of 3.5%.

Workforce participation was at 74.0%, compared to Regional WA's 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 5.5% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. Broome had a particularly notable concentration in health care & social assistance, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

However, mining was under-represented, with only 3.1% of Broome's workforce compared to 11.7% in Regional WA. Employment opportunities existed locally, but many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.7%, and the labour force grew by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Regional WA saw employment rise by 1.0%, the labour force grow by 1.4%, and unemployment increase by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected that national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Broome's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, although these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Broome SA2 has a high national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers is $64,015 and average income stands at $74,919. This compares to Regional WA's figures of $59,973 and $74,392 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $71,012 (median) and $83,108 (average) as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Broome rank highly nationally, between the 79th and 89th percentiles. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 35.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (5,783 residents), aligning with surrounding region where this cohort represents 31.1%. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 32.5% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 79th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Broome is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Broome's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.6% houses and 22.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broome was at 15.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.7% and rented ones at 53.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, while the median weekly rent was $330. Nationally, Broome's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Broome features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.6% of all households, including 31.3% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.4%, with lone person households at 24.3% and group households comprising 5.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

Broome shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Broome's educational attainment is notably high with 29.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, surpassing the Rest of WA's 17.6% and SA4 region's 20.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (28.9%). Educational participation is high at 37.3%, with 15.6% in primary education, 10.6% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 37.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.6% in primary education, 10.6% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis of public transport in Broome shows that there are currently 34 active transport stops operating, all of which serve bus routes. These stops collectively facilitate 134 weekly passenger trips via a single route. The accessibility to these transport services is rated as limited, with residents typically residing approximately 921 meters away from the nearest stop. As Broome is predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward from the area. In terms of transportation modes, cars are the primary choice at 85%, followed by walking at 6% and cycling at 4%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, only 5.5% of residents work from home. The service frequency across all routes averages approximately 19 trips per day, resulting in about 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Broome's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis shows Broome's health metrics performed strongly across mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both younger and older age groups had low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover was found to be high at approximately 57% of the total population (~9,352 people). The most prevalent medical conditions were mental health issues (5.9%) and asthma (5.6%), while 79.2% reported being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Working-age residents had low chronic condition prevalence. Broome has 6.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,138 people), lower than the 19.2% in Regional WA. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, ranking higher nationally than the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Broome records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Broome's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region's average, with 78.7% of residents being citizens, 82.1% born in Australia, and 87.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Broome, comprising 39.9% of the population. Buddhism, however, is overrepresented compared to Regional WA, with 1.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (25.0%), English (23.7%), and Australian Aboriginal (17.0%). Notably, French (0.6%) and Filipino (1.5%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Broome compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 1.2%, respectively. South Australian ethnicity is slightly underrepresented at 0.5%.

Broome hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Broome's median age is 33 years, considerably lower than the Regional WA average of 40, and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Regional WA, Broome has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (19.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.1%). Since the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, the percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 17.1% to 19.2%, while the percentage of those aged 35 to 44 increased from 16.5% to 18.0%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 5 to 14 declined from 16.1% to 13.6%, and the percentage of those aged 45 to 54 dropped from 14.2% to 12.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Broome's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 32%, adding 1,003 residents to reach a total of 4,183. In contrast, both the 65 to 74 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.