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 Smithfield (Qld), accounting for 36.8% (850 households). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 191 households and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Smithfield (Qld) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Smithfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
444
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-9.0pp
444
19.2%
-9.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
850
% of total
36.8%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
850
36.8%
+4.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
414
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
414
17.9%
+2.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
385
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
385
16.7%
+1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
159
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
159
6.9%
-0.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
64
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
64
2.8%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
-131
-9.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+191
+4.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+101
+2.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+78
+1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+5
-0.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+29
+1.1pp
Data table
Household size for Smithfield (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 | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 444 | 19.2% | 27.0% | 575 | 28.2% | 26.1% | -131 | -9.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 850 | 36.8% | 35.0% | 659 | 32.3% | 34.7% | +191 | +4.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 414 | 17.9% | 15.7% | 313 | 15.3% | 16.1% | +101 | +2.6pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 385 | 16.7% | 13.7% | 307 | 15.0% | 14.0% | +78 | +1.7pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 159 | 6.9% | 5.4% | 154 | 7.5% | 5.9% | +5 | -0.6pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 64 | 2.8% | 3.2% | 35 | 1.7% | 3.3% | +29 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 2,311 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,041 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +270 | 0.0pp |