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 Dorset (M), accounting for 95% (2,837 dwellings). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (89.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 184 dwellings and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Dorset (M) - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Dorset (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dorset (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
Separate house
2021 count
2,837
% of total
95.0%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
2,837
95.0%
+1.4pp
Medium density
2021 count
117
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
117
3.9%
+0.5pp
High density
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
14
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.5%
0.0pp
Other
2021 count
14
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
14
0.5%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
4
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4
0.1%
-1.3pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+184
+1.4pp
Medium density
+22
+0.5pp
High density
0
0.0pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
0
0.0pp
Other
-8
-0.3pp
Not stated
-36
-1.3pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Dorset (M). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 2,837 | 95.0% | 89.1% | 2,653 | 93.6% | 89.1% | +184 | +1.4pp |
| Medium density | 117 | 3.9% | 9.2% | 95 | 3.4% | 9.1% | +22 | +0.5pp |
| High density | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 14 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 14 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Other | 14 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 22 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 4 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 40 | 1.4% | 0.5% | -36 | -1.3pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 2,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,834 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +151 | 0.0pp |