Households
Household size
About this topic
Household size shows how many people live in each household. It is a basic but important measure of family life, dwelling use, and the way people share housing.
This topic helps indicate demand for different dwelling sizes and can reflect life-cycle patterns, cultural norms, and affordability pressures. It is best read with household type, age structure, and dwelling type, because changes in household size can happen for very different reasons.
Interpretation notes
- This counts the number of people usually resident in the dwelling, so it describes shared living arrangements rather than dwelling size.
- Household size should be read with bedrooms or dwelling structure before drawing conclusions about crowding or housing suitability.
Key insight
In 2021, one-person households was the most common household size among households in Adelaide (C), accounting for 44.4% (4,936 households). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (27.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in one-person households, which increased by 1,377 households and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Adelaide (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Adelaide (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
4,936
% of total
44.4%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
4,936
44.4%
+3.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
4,393
% of total
39.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
4,393
39.5%
+0.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
1,147
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,147
10.3%
-2.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
490
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
490
4.4%
-1.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
110
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
110
1.0%
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
45
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
45
0.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+1,377
+3.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+1,037
+0.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+75
-2.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
-22
-1.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
-21
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+2
-0.1pp
Data table
Household size for Adelaide (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 4,936 | 44.4% | 27.7% | 3,559 | 41.0% | 27.4% | +1,377 | +3.4pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 4,393 | 39.5% | 33.5% | 3,356 | 38.7% | 33.7% | +1,037 | +0.8pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 1,147 | 10.3% | 15.9% | 1,072 | 12.4% | 15.9% | +75 | -2.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 490 | 4.4% | 14.9% | 512 | 5.9% | 15.1% | -22 | -1.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 110 | 1.0% | 5.5% | 131 | 1.5% | 5.5% | -21 | -0.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 45 | 0.4% | 2.5% | 43 | 0.5% | 2.4% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 11,116 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,438 | 0.0pp |