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, other was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Portsmith, accounting for 36.7% (29 dwellings). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (0.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in other, which increased by 26 dwellings and 28.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Portsmith - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Portsmith in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Portsmith, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Separate house
2021 count
26
% of total
32.9%
Change from 2016
-11.8pp
26
32.9%
-11.8pp
Medium density
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
High density
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
17
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
17
21.5%
-7.4pp
Other
2021 count
29
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
+28.8pp
29
36.7%
+28.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
11
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
11
13.9%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+9
-11.8pp
Medium density
0
0.0pp
High density
0
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
+6
-7.4pp
Other
+26
+28.8pp
Not stated
+6
+0.7pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Portsmith. 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 | 26 | 32.9% | 70.4% | 17 | 44.7% | 68.4% | +9 | -11.8pp |
| Medium density | 0 | 0.0% | 18.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 19.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| High density | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 17 | 21.5% | 1.7% | 11 | 28.9% | 2.3% | +6 | -7.4pp |
| Other | 29 | 36.7% | 0.3% | 3 | 7.9% | 0.5% | +26 | +28.8pp |
| Not stated | 11 | 13.9% | 0.8% | 5 | 13.2% | 1.0% | +6 | +0.7pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 79 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |