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 Merrylands West, accounting for 48.2% (1,184 dwellings). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (51.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 1,102 dwellings, while its share fell by 53 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

Merrylands West - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for Merrylands West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Merrylands West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).

Merrylands West
Cumberland (A)

Separate house

2021 count

1,184

% of total

48.2%

Change from 2016

-53.0pp

Medium density

2021 count

648

% of total

26.4%

Change from 2016

+26.4pp

High density

2021 count

615

% of total

25.1%

Change from 2016

+25.1pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Other

2021 count

5

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Dwelling type for Merrylands West. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).

Dwelling type for Merrylands West. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
Dwelling type for Merrylands West. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cumberland (A)%Count%Cumberland (A)%Countpp
Separate house1,18448.2%51.7%82101.2%55.4%+1,102-53.0pp
Medium density64826.4%22.8%00.0%24.6%+648+26.4pp
High density61525.1%24.9%00.0%18.8%+615+25.1pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat00.0%0.0%00.0%0.0%00.0pp
Other50.2%0.3%00.0%0.6%+5+0.2pp
Not stated00.0%0.4%00.0%0.5%00.0pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings2,454100.0%100.0%81100.0%100.0%+2,3730.0pp