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, two-person households 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 two-person households, which increased by 456 households and 6.9 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).

Palm Cove
Cairns (R)

Number Of Persons Usually Resident One

2021 count

282

% of total

28.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two

2021 count

487

% of total

48.8%

Change from 2016

+6.9pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three

2021 count

109

% of total

10.9%

Change from 2016

-4.0pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four

2021 count

89

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

-6.0pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five

2021 count

15

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More

2021 count

13

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-4.1pp

Data table

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

Household size for Palm Cove. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Household size for Palm Cove. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One28228.3%27.0%2128.4%26.1%+261-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two48748.8%35.0%3141.9%34.7%+456+6.9pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three10910.9%15.7%1114.9%16.1%+98-4.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four898.9%13.7%1114.9%14.0%+78-6.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five151.5%5.4%34.1%5.9%+12-2.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More131.3%3.2%45.4%3.3%+9-4.1pp
Total998100.0%100.0%74100.0%100.0%+9240.0pp