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, two-person households was the most common household size among households in Boroondara (C), accounting for 31.8% (19,914 households). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in one-person households, which increased by 1,750 households and 1.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Boroondara (C) - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Boroondara (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Household size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Boroondara (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.

Boroondara (C)
Greater Melbourne

Number Of Persons Usually Resident One

2021 count

16,223

% of total

25.9%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two

2021 count

19,914

% of total

31.8%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three

2021 count

9,747

% of total

15.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four

2021 count

11,453

% of total

18.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five

2021 count

4,200

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More

2021 count

1,183

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Household size for Boroondara (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Household size for Boroondara (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Household size for Boroondara (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One16,22325.9%24.8%14,47324.2%23.2%+1,750+1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two19,91431.8%31.3%18,55831.0%31.4%+1,356+0.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three9,74715.5%16.9%9,56416.0%17.3%+183-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four11,45318.3%17.2%11,32518.9%17.6%+128-0.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five4,2006.7%6.6%4,5797.7%7.1%-379-1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More1,1831.9%3.2%1,3452.2%3.5%-162-0.3pp
Total62,715100.0%100.0%59,849100.0%100.0%+2,8660.0pp