Households

Household type

About this topic

Household type summarises the mix of household and family structures in an area, such as couples with children, lone person households, and one-parent families. It is one of the clearest indicators of how people live together and the residential role of an area.

This topic is useful for planning services, facilities, and housing because demand is closely tied to household structure. It is best read with households with children, households without children, household size, age structure, and dwelling type.

Interpretation notes

  • This is a derived household-composition view built from relationships within dwellings, so it summarises household structure rather than a single Census question.
  • It is dwelling-based, which means different household types can reflect both family structure and housing arrangements.

Key insight

In 2021, lone-person households was the most common household type among households in Adelaide, accounting for 41.2% (3,741 households). This share was higher than Adelaide (C) (40.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in lone-person households, which increased by 1,228 households and 5.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Household type

Adelaide - Total households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household type for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.

Household type snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).

Adelaide
Adelaide (C)

Couples with children

2021 count

577

% of total

6.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Couples without children

2021 count

2,197

% of total

24.2%

Change from 2016

+3.3pp

One parent families

2021 count

387

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Other families

2021 count

152

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Group household

2021 count

1,192

% of total

13.1%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Lone person

2021 count

3,741

% of total

41.2%

Change from 2016

+5.1pp

Other not classifiable household

2021 count

11

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Visitor only households

2021 count

820

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

-4.4pp

Data table

Household type for Adelaide. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).

Household type for Adelaide. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
Household type for Adelaide. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Adelaide (C)%Count%Adelaide (C)%Countpp
Couples with children5776.4%8.1%4536.5%8.3%+124-0.1pp
Couples without children2,19724.2%25.7%1,45820.9%22.8%+739+3.3pp
One parent families3874.3%4.5%2733.9%4.1%+114+0.4pp
Other families1521.7%1.6%1372.0%1.8%+15-0.3pp
Group household1,19213.1%11.4%1,17616.9%14.2%+16-3.8pp
Lone person3,74141.2%40.8%2,51336.1%35.6%+1,228+5.1pp
Other not classifiable household110.1%0.2%140.2%0.2%-3-0.1pp
Visitor only households8209.0%7.9%93513.4%13.1%-115-4.4pp
Total households9,081100.0%100.0%6,964100.0%100.0%+2,1170.0pp