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, separate houses was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Colac-Otway (S), accounting for 90.6% (8,691 dwellings). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (89.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 959 dwellings and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Colac-Otway (S) - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Colac-Otway (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Colac-Otway (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Separate house
2021 count
8,691
% of total
90.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
8,691
90.6%
+1.3pp
Medium density
2021 count
760
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
760
7.9%
-0.3pp
High density
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
82
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
82
0.9%
-0.4pp
Other
2021 count
35
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
35
0.4%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
28
0.3%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+959
+1.3pp
Medium density
+50
-0.3pp
High density
-3
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
-30
-0.4pp
Other
-5
-0.1pp
Not stated
-24
-0.3pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Colac-Otway (S). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 8,691 | 90.6% | 89.2% | 7,732 | 89.3% | 88.2% | +959 | +1.3pp |
| Medium density | 760 | 7.9% | 9.2% | 710 | 8.2% | 9.7% | +50 | -0.3pp |
| High density | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 82 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 112 | 1.3% | 0.9% | -30 | -0.4pp |
| Other | 35 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 40 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 28 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 52 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -24 | -0.3pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 9,593 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,659 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +934 | 0.0pp |