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 Gordonvale, accounting for 36.4% (854 households). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 2 persons, which increased by 97 households and 2.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Gordonvale - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Gordonvale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.

Household size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Gordonvale, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Gordonvale
Cairns (R)

1 person

2021 count

493

% of total

21.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

2 persons

2021 count

854

% of total

36.4%

Change from 2016

+2.7pp

3 persons

2021 count

360

% of total

15.3%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

4 persons

2021 count

362

% of total

15.4%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

5 persons

2021 count

169

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

6 or more persons

2021 count

109

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Data table

Household size for Gordonvale. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).

Household size for Gordonvale. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Household size for Gordonvale. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
1 person49321.0%27.0%45720.4%26.1%+36+0.6pp
2 persons85436.4%35.0%75733.7%34.7%+97+2.7pp
3 persons36015.3%15.7%37716.8%16.1%-17-1.5pp
4 persons36215.4%13.7%37616.7%14.0%-14-1.3pp
5 persons1697.2%5.4%1617.2%5.9%+80.0pp
6 or more persons1094.6%3.2%1175.2%3.3%-8-0.6pp
Total classifiable households2,349100.0%100.0%2,245100.0%100.0%+1040.0pp