Broome

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

Broome's population was around 16,607 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 1,947 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,660 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,238 in June 2024 and an additional 119 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population resulted in a density ratio of 331 persons per square kilometer. Broome's growth rate of 13.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 estimates, AreaSearch uses growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The area is expected to increase by 2,187 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 10.9% over the 17 years.

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

Broome granted approval for approximately 73 residential properties annually over the past five financial years, totalling 366 homes. As of FY26, 38 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3 people move to the area per new home constructed each year between FY21 and FY25, reflecting strong demand for housing. The average construction value of new homes is $366,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $59.5 million, indicating significant commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of WA, Broome records 66.0% more new home approvals per person, offering greater choice for buyers. Recent construction comprises 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature. This focus on detached housing reflects persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends.

Broome has approximately 204 people per approval, indicating a developing area. By 2041, Broome is expected to grow by 1,818 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds forecasts.

Broome has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects expected to influence the area. Notable ones include Walmanyjun Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment, Yinajalan Ngarrungunil Health and Wellbeing Campus, Broome Boating Facility, and Broome North - Waranyjarri Estate. The following list details those most 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.

Broome has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Broome has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.0% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.8% over the past year.

In September 2025, 9,122 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.8% higher than Rest of WA's rate of 3.3%. Workforce participation in Broome was 66.6%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. The leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance had a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, while mining had limited presence at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 11.7%.

Employment opportunities exist locally, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.8%, and labour force increased by 1.0%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of WA recorded employment growth of 1.4% and a fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Broome. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Broome's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 on June 15, 2023. Broome SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $61,902 and an average of $72,750. Nationally, the median was $48,363 with an average of $68,748. In Rest of WA, the median was $57,323 and the average was $71,163. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $70,692 (median) and $83,080 (average), based on a 14.2% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census ranked Broome's household, family, and personal incomes between the 79th and 89th percentiles nationally. Distribution data showed that 35.0% of residents earned $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, aligning with the surrounding region at 31.1%. This suburb demonstrated affluence with 32.5% earning over $3,000 per week. Housing accounted for 14.9% of income, and residents ranked in the 79th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Broome is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Broome, as per the latest Census evaluation, 77.6% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 22.4% comprising semi-detached units, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro WA had 79.3% houses and 20.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broome stood at 15.8%, with mortgaged properties at 30.7% and rented ones at 53.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with the Non-Metro WA average, while the median weekly rent was $330 compared to Non-Metro WA's $200. Nationally, Broome's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $330 compared to the national figure of $375.

Broome features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-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 make up 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 smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.8.

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

Broome has a notably high educational attainment among residents aged 15 and above, with 29.3% holding university qualifications compared to the broader benchmarks of 17.6% in the rest of Western Australia and 20.5% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 40.9% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.0% and certificates for 28.9%. Educational participation is 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.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Broome's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Broome exhibits excellent health outcomes, with a low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is high at approximately 56% of the total population (~9,299 people), compared to 53.4% across the rest of WA.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.9 and 5.6% of residents respectively. A significant portion, 79.2%, of Broome's residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 79.9% across the rest of WA. The percentage of seniors aged 65 and over in Broome is 6.6% (1,089 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong and align with the general population's health profile.

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 the wider region's average, with 78.7% of its population being citizens, 82.1% born in Australia, and 87.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Broome, comprising 39.9%. Buddhism is slightly overrepresented, making up 1.5%, compared to 1.1% regionally.

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 0.5% and 1.1%, respectively. South African ethnicity is also slightly higher at 0.5%.

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

Broome's median age is 33 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of WA average of 40 years, and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to the Rest of WA, Broome has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 19.5%, but fewer 65-74 year-olds at 4.8%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 17.1% to 19.5% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 16.5% to 17.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 16.1% to 14.1%, and the 45 to 54 group 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 34%, adding 1,093 residents to reach 4,334. In contrast, both the 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups will see reduced numbers.