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 Cairns City, accounting for 43.2% (373 households). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 365 households and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Cairns City - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
338
% of total
39.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
338
39.1%
+1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
373
% of total
43.2%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
373
43.2%
+5.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
93
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-22.5pp
93
10.8%
-22.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
50
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-8.5pp
50
5.8%
-8.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
11
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
11
1.3%
+1.3pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
3
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-18.7pp
3
0.3%
-18.7pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+330
+1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+365
+5.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+86
-22.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+47
-8.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+11
+1.3pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
-1
-18.7pp
Data table
Household size for Cairns City. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 338 | 39.1% | 27.0% | 8 | 38.1% | 26.1% | +330 | +1.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 373 | 43.2% | 35.0% | 8 | 38.1% | 34.7% | +365 | +5.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 93 | 10.8% | 15.7% | 7 | 33.3% | 16.1% | +86 | -22.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 50 | 5.8% | 13.7% | 3 | 14.3% | 14.0% | +47 | -8.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 11 | 1.3% | 5.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.9% | +11 | +1.3pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 3 | 0.3% | 3.2% | 4 | 19.0% | 3.3% | -1 | -18.7pp |
| Total | 864 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +843 | 0.0pp |