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, 1 person was the most common household size among households in Merrylands West, accounting for 27.9% (628 households). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (19.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 5 persons, which increased by 35 households and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Merrylands West - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Merrylands West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
1 person
2021 count
628
% of total
27.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
628
27.9%
+0.4pp
2 persons
2021 count
557
% of total
24.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
557
24.7%
+0.2pp
3 persons
2021 count
337
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
337
15.0%
-2.0pp
4 persons
2021 count
337
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
337
15.0%
+0.4pp
5 persons
2021 count
220
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
220
9.8%
+1.3pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
175
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
175
7.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+28
+0.4pp
2 persons
+22
+0.2pp
3 persons
-34
-2.0pp
4 persons
+17
+0.4pp
5 persons
+35
+1.3pp
6 or more persons
+9
+0.2pp
Data table
Household size for Merrylands West. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 628 | 27.9% | 19.5% | 600 | 27.5% | 18.0% | +28 | +0.4pp |
| 2 persons | 557 | 24.7% | 24.7% | 535 | 24.5% | 23.5% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| 3 persons | 337 | 15.0% | 19.1% | 371 | 17.0% | 18.8% | -34 | -2.0pp |
| 4 persons | 337 | 15.0% | 18.8% | 320 | 14.6% | 19.2% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| 5 persons | 220 | 9.8% | 9.4% | 185 | 8.5% | 10.7% | +35 | +1.3pp |
| 6 or more persons | 175 | 7.8% | 8.4% | 166 | 7.6% | 9.7% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Total classifiable households | 2,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +68 | 0.0pp |