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, couples with children was the most common household type among households in Cairnlea, accounting for 50.8% (1,478 households). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (34.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in couples without children, which increased by 115 households and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Household type
Cairnlea - Total households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household type for Cairnlea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Household type snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairnlea, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Couples with children
2021 count
1,478
% of total
50.8%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
1,478
50.8%
-5.4pp
Couples without children
2021 count
498
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
498
17.1%
+2.7pp
One parent families
2021 count
430
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
430
14.8%
+0.8pp
Other families
2021 count
41
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
1.4%
-0.1pp
Group household
2021 count
59
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
2.0%
+0.1pp
Lone person
2021 count
299
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
299
10.3%
+2.4pp
Other not classifiable household
2021 count
103
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
103
3.5%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Household type change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Couples with children
-17
-5.4pp
Couples without children
+115
+2.7pp
One parent families
+58
+0.8pp
Other families
0
-0.1pp
Group household
+9
+0.1pp
Lone person
+89
+2.4pp
Other not classifiable household
-4
-0.5pp
Data table
Household type for Cairnlea. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Couples with children | 1,478 | 50.8% | 34.7% | 1,495 | 56.2% | 37.6% | -17 | -5.4pp |
| Couples without children | 498 | 17.1% | 20.8% | 383 | 14.4% | 20.2% | +115 | +2.7pp |
| One parent families | 430 | 14.8% | 14.6% | 372 | 14.0% | 14.6% | +58 | +0.8pp |
| Other families | 41 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 41 | 1.5% | 1.8% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Group household | 59 | 2.0% | 3.5% | 50 | 1.9% | 3.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Lone person | 299 | 10.3% | 19.4% | 210 | 7.9% | 17.5% | +89 | +2.4pp |
| Other not classifiable household | 103 | 3.5% | 5.3% | 107 | 4.0% | 5.1% | -4 | -0.5pp |
| Total households | 2,908 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,658 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +250 | 0.0pp |