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 Broome, accounting for 41.6% (1,574 people). This share was lower than Broome (S) (44.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 203 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Broome - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Broome in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Broome (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broome, with comparison markers for Broome (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,574
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
1,574
41.6%
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
904
% of total
23.9%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
904
23.9%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
792
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
792
20.9%
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
174
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
174
4.6%
-2.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
56
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
56
1.5%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
46
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
1.2%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
30
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
30
0.8%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
29
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
29
0.8%
-0.5pp
Islam
2021 count
29
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
29
0.8%
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
18
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+203
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
-196
-3.3pp
Not stated
-35
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-130
-2.9pp
Buddhism
-13
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-4
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-6
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-24
-0.5pp
Islam
+13
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Broome. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,574 | 41.6% | 44.8% | 1,371 | 34.0% | 35.9% | +203 | +7.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 904 | 23.9% | 23.6% | 1,100 | 27.2% | 27.6% | -196 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 792 | 20.9% | 16.1% | 827 | 20.5% | 14.7% | -35 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 174 | 4.6% | 5.3% | 304 | 7.5% | 8.4% | -130 | -2.9pp |
| Buddhism | 56 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 69 | 1.7% | 1.5% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 46 | 1.2% | 2.1% | 50 | 1.2% | 1.9% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 30 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 36 | 0.9% | 0.9% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 29 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 53 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -24 | -0.5pp |
| Islam | 29 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 16 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +13 | +0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 18 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.5% | 0.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,783 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,038 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -255 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.