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, 2 persons was the most common household size among households in Freshwater (Qld), accounting for 34.7% (305 households). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 1 person, which increased by 24 households and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Freshwater (Qld) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Freshwater (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Freshwater (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
1 person
2021 count
263
% of total
30.0%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
263
30.0%
+1.4pp
2 persons
2021 count
305
% of total
34.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
305
34.7%
-1.3pp
3 persons
2021 count
137
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
137
15.6%
-2.4pp
4 persons
2021 count
112
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
112
12.8%
+1.4pp
5 persons
2021 count
39
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
39
4.4%
+0.7pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
14
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
14
1.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+24
+1.4pp
2 persons
+4
-1.3pp
3 persons
-13
-2.4pp
4 persons
+17
+1.4pp
5 persons
+8
+0.7pp
6 or more persons
-1
-0.2pp
Data table
Household size for Freshwater (Qld). 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 | |
| 1 person | 263 | 30.0% | 27.0% | 239 | 28.6% | 26.1% | +24 | +1.4pp |
| 2 persons | 305 | 34.7% | 35.0% | 301 | 36.0% | 34.7% | +4 | -1.3pp |
| 3 persons | 137 | 15.6% | 15.7% | 150 | 18.0% | 16.1% | -13 | -2.4pp |
| 4 persons | 112 | 12.8% | 13.7% | 95 | 11.4% | 14.0% | +17 | +1.4pp |
| 5 persons | 39 | 4.4% | 5.4% | 31 | 3.7% | 5.9% | +8 | +0.7pp |
| 6 or more persons | 14 | 1.6% | 3.2% | 15 | 1.8% | 3.3% | -1 | -0.2pp |
| Total classifiable households | 878 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 835 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +43 | 0.0pp |