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, four-person households was the most common household size among households in Cairnlea, accounting for 25.1% (704 households). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (18.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in four-person households, which increased by 692 households and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Cairnlea - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Cairnlea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairnlea, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
299
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-14.4pp
299
10.6%
-14.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
609
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-10.0pp
609
21.7%
-10.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
540
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
540
19.2%
+7.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
704
% of total
25.1%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
704
25.1%
+5.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
372
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
372
13.2%
-1.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
288
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+10.3pp
288
10.3%
+10.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+284
-14.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+590
-10.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+533
+7.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+692
+5.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+363
-1.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+288
+10.3pp
Data table
Household size for Cairnlea. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 299 | 10.6% | 20.4% | 15 | 25.0% | 18.4% | +284 | -14.4pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 609 | 21.7% | 28.7% | 19 | 31.7% | 27.6% | +590 | -10.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 540 | 19.2% | 18.7% | 7 | 11.7% | 19.1% | +533 | +7.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 704 | 25.1% | 18.2% | 12 | 20.0% | 19.1% | +692 | +5.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 372 | 13.2% | 8.2% | 9 | 15.0% | 9.2% | +363 | -1.8pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 288 | 10.3% | 5.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.6% | +288 | +10.3pp |
| Total | 2,808 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 60 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,748 | 0.0pp |