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 Whitfield (Qld), accounting for 35.7% (609 households). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (35%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 1 person, which increased by 41 households and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Whitfield (Qld) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Whitfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whitfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
1 person
2021 count
513
% of total
30.1%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
513
30.1%
+1.3pp
2 persons
2021 count
609
% of total
35.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
609
35.7%
+0.7pp
3 persons
2021 count
247
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
247
14.5%
+0.1pp
4 persons
2021 count
229
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
229
13.4%
-1.2pp
5 persons
2021 count
66
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
66
3.9%
-0.7pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
32
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
32
1.9%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+41
+1.3pp
2 persons
+36
+0.7pp
3 persons
+12
+0.1pp
4 persons
-10
-1.2pp
5 persons
-9
-0.7pp
6 or more persons
-10
-0.7pp
Data table
Household size for Whitfield (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 | |
| 1 person | 513 | 30.1% | 27.0% | 472 | 28.8% | 26.1% | +41 | +1.3pp |
| 2 persons | 609 | 35.7% | 35.0% | 573 | 35.0% | 34.7% | +36 | +0.7pp |
| 3 persons | 247 | 14.5% | 15.7% | 235 | 14.4% | 16.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| 4 persons | 229 | 13.4% | 13.7% | 239 | 14.6% | 14.0% | -10 | -1.2pp |
| 5 persons | 66 | 3.9% | 5.4% | 75 | 4.6% | 5.9% | -9 | -0.7pp |
| 6 or more persons | 32 | 1.9% | 3.2% | 42 | 2.6% | 3.3% | -10 | -0.7pp |
| Total classifiable households | 1,704 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,637 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +67 | 0.0pp |