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 Colac-Otway (S), accounting for 36% (3,181 households). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (36.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 1 person, which increased by 334 households and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Colac-Otway (S) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Colac-Otway (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Colac-Otway (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
1 person
2021 count
2,864
% of total
32.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,864
32.4%
+0.8pp
2 persons
2021 count
3,181
% of total
36.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,181
36.0%
0.0pp
3 persons
2021 count
1,068
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,068
12.1%
-0.3pp
4 persons
2021 count
996
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
996
11.3%
-0.2pp
5 persons
2021 count
515
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
515
5.8%
0.0pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
222
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
222
2.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+334
+0.8pp
2 persons
+298
0.0pp
3 persons
+72
-0.3pp
4 persons
+76
-0.2pp
5 persons
+52
0.0pp
6 or more persons
+5
-0.2pp
Data table
Household size for Colac-Otway (S). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 2,864 | 32.4% | 29.3% | 2,530 | 31.6% | 29.0% | +334 | +0.8pp |
| 2 persons | 3,181 | 36.0% | 36.4% | 2,883 | 36.0% | 36.2% | +298 | 0.0pp |
| 3 persons | 1,068 | 12.1% | 13.6% | 996 | 12.4% | 13.6% | +72 | -0.3pp |
| 4 persons | 996 | 11.3% | 12.6% | 920 | 11.5% | 12.9% | +76 | -0.2pp |
| 5 persons | 515 | 5.8% | 5.7% | 463 | 5.8% | 5.9% | +52 | 0.0pp |
| 6 or more persons | 222 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 217 | 2.7% | 2.4% | +5 | -0.2pp |
| Total classifiable households | 8,848 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +843 | 0.0pp |