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 Dorset (M), accounting for 40.9% (1,131 households). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (37.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 2 persons, which increased by 84 households and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Dorset (M) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Dorset (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dorset (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
1 person
2021 count
874
% of total
31.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
874
31.6%
-1.1pp
2 persons
2021 count
1,131
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
1,131
40.9%
+1.4pp
3 persons
2021 count
293
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
293
10.6%
+0.2pp
4 persons
2021 count
270
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
270
9.8%
-1.1pp
5 persons
2021 count
127
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
127
4.6%
+0.3pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
73
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
73
2.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+7
-1.1pp
2 persons
+84
+1.4pp
3 persons
+18
+0.2pp
4 persons
-19
-1.1pp
5 persons
+14
+0.3pp
6 or more persons
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Household size for Dorset (M). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 874 | 31.6% | 30.1% | 867 | 32.7% | 30.1% | +7 | -1.1pp |
| 2 persons | 1,131 | 40.9% | 37.9% | 1,047 | 39.5% | 37.6% | +84 | +1.4pp |
| 3 persons | 293 | 10.6% | 13.5% | 275 | 10.4% | 13.5% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| 4 persons | 270 | 9.8% | 11.5% | 289 | 10.9% | 11.9% | -19 | -1.1pp |
| 5 persons | 127 | 4.6% | 4.7% | 113 | 4.3% | 4.8% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| 6 or more persons | 73 | 2.6% | 2.4% | 66 | 2.5% | 2.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total classifiable households | 2,763 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,653 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +110 | 0.0pp |