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 North, accounting for 61.3% (1,498 dwellings). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in high density, which increased by 187 dwellings and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Cairns North - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Cairns North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns North, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Separate house
2021 count
331
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
331
13.6%
+0.6pp
Medium density
2021 count
545
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
545
22.3%
-7.1pp
High density
2021 count
1,498
% of total
61.3%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
1,498
61.3%
+6.1pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
0
0.0%
-0.1pp
Other
2021 count
17
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.7%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
46
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
46
1.9%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+21
+0.6pp
Medium density
-153
-7.1pp
High density
+187
+6.1pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
-3
-0.1pp
Other
+3
+0.1pp
Not stated
+14
+0.6pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Cairns North. 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 | 331 | 13.6% | 70.4% | 310 | 13.0% | 68.4% | +21 | +0.6pp |
| Medium density | 545 | 22.3% | 18.8% | 698 | 29.4% | 19.5% | -153 | -7.1pp |
| High density | 1,498 | 61.3% | 8.0% | 1,311 | 55.2% | 8.3% | +187 | +6.1pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | 3 | 0.1% | 2.3% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Other | 17 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 14 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 46 | 1.9% | 0.8% | 32 | 1.3% | 1.0% | +14 | +0.6pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 2,442 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,377 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +65 | 0.0pp |