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 (S), accounting for 44.8% (7,589 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,774 people and 8.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Broome (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Broome (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broome (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
7,589
% of total
44.8%
Change from 2016
+8.9pp
7,589
44.8%
+8.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,993
% of total
23.6%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
3,993
23.6%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,721
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
2,721
16.1%
+1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
903
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
903
5.3%
-3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
364
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
364
2.1%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
193
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
193
1.1%
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
178
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
178
1.1%
-0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
142
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
142
0.8%
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
101
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
101
0.6%
-0.3pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
2021 count
86
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
86
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,774
+8.9pp
Western Catholic
-478
-4.0pp
Not stated
+338
+1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-457
-3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+58
+0.2pp
Buddhism
-53
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-118
-0.7pp
Baptist
-71
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
-52
-0.3pp
Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God)
-23
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Broome (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 7,589 | 44.8% | 45.6% | 5,815 | 35.9% | 33.8% | +1,774 | +8.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,993 | 23.6% | 15.7% | 4,471 | 27.6% | 19.3% | -478 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 2,721 | 16.1% | 12.1% | 2,383 | 14.7% | 12.4% | +338 | +1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 903 | 5.3% | 11.3% | 1,360 | 8.4% | 16.4% | -457 | -3.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 364 | 2.1% | 3.2% | 306 | 1.9% | 3.3% | +58 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 193 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 246 | 1.5% | 1.0% | -53 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 178 | 1.1% | 2.1% | 296 | 1.8% | 3.2% | -118 | -0.7pp |
| Baptist | 142 | 0.8% | 1.6% | 213 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -71 | -0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 101 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 153 | 0.9% | 1.4% | -52 | -0.3pp |
| Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) | 86 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 109 | 0.7% | 0.2% | -23 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 16,946 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,209 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +737 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.