Housing
Dwelling type
About this topic
Dwelling type shows the structure of dwellings, such as separate houses, medium density housing, and higher density housing. It is a core measure of built form and residential density within an area.
This topic helps explain the housing role of an area and the kinds of households it may attract. It is best read with household size, household type, tenure, and age structure, because built form and population characteristics are closely related.
Interpretation notes
- Dwelling structure describes the physical form of dwellings counted on Census night rather than tenure, housing condition, or household makeup.
- It is strongest when read alongside household size and tenure, because structure alone does not show who lives there.
Key insight
In 2021, high density was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Cairns City, accounting for 73% (767 dwellings). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in other, which decreased by 41 dwellings and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Cairns City - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Separate house
2021 count
27
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
27
2.6%
-0.3pp
Medium density
2021 count
119
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
119
11.3%
+1.9pp
High density
2021 count
767
% of total
73.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
767
73.0%
-0.6pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
23
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
23
2.2%
-1.7pp
Other
2021 count
40
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
40
3.8%
-4.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
79
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+6.0pp
79
7.5%
+6.0pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
-2
-0.3pp
Medium density
+25
+1.9pp
High density
+35
-0.6pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
-16
-1.7pp
Other
-41
-4.3pp
Not stated
+64
+6.0pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Cairns City. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 27 | 2.6% | 70.4% | 29 | 2.9% | 68.4% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Medium density | 119 | 11.3% | 18.8% | 94 | 9.4% | 19.5% | +25 | +1.9pp |
| High density | 767 | 73.0% | 8.0% | 732 | 73.6% | 8.3% | +35 | -0.6pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 23 | 2.2% | 1.7% | 39 | 3.9% | 2.3% | -16 | -1.7pp |
| Other | 40 | 3.8% | 0.3% | 81 | 8.1% | 0.5% | -41 | -4.3pp |
| Not stated | 79 | 7.5% | 0.8% | 15 | 1.5% | 1.0% | +64 | +6.0pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 1,051 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 995 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +56 | 0.0pp |