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 Palm Cove, accounting for 48.8% (487 households). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 2 persons, which increased by 119 households and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Palm Cove - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Palm Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
1 person
2021 count
282
% of total
28.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
282
28.3%
-0.6pp
2 persons
2021 count
487
% of total
48.8%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
487
48.8%
+4.0pp
3 persons
2021 count
109
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
109
10.9%
-4.2pp
4 persons
2021 count
89
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
89
8.9%
+0.4pp
5 persons
2021 count
15
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
15
1.5%
-0.4pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
13
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
1.3%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+45
-0.6pp
2 persons
+119
+4.0pp
3 persons
-15
-4.2pp
4 persons
+19
+0.4pp
5 persons
-1
-0.4pp
6 or more persons
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Household size for Palm Cove. 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 | 282 | 28.3% | 27.0% | 237 | 28.9% | 26.1% | +45 | -0.6pp |
| 2 persons | 487 | 48.8% | 35.0% | 368 | 44.8% | 34.7% | +119 | +4.0pp |
| 3 persons | 109 | 10.9% | 15.7% | 124 | 15.1% | 16.1% | -15 | -4.2pp |
| 4 persons | 89 | 8.9% | 13.7% | 70 | 8.5% | 14.0% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| 5 persons | 15 | 1.5% | 5.4% | 16 | 1.9% | 5.9% | -1 | -0.4pp |
| 6 or more persons | 13 | 1.3% | 3.2% | 8 | 1.0% | 3.3% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total classifiable households | 998 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 821 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +177 | 0.0pp |