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 Paterson (NSW), accounting for 33.2% (113 households). This share was lower than Dungog (A) (37.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 1 person, which increased by 21 households and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Paterson (NSW) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Paterson (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Dungog (A) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Paterson (NSW), with comparison markers for Dungog (A).
1 person
2021 count
71
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
71
20.9%
+4.2pp
2 persons
2021 count
113
% of total
33.2%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
113
33.2%
-3.6pp
3 persons
2021 count
60
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
60
17.6%
+2.9pp
4 persons
2021 count
51
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
51
15.0%
-4.1pp
5 persons
2021 count
26
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
26
7.6%
-2.8pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
17
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
17
5.0%
+2.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+21
+4.2pp
2 persons
+3
-3.6pp
3 persons
+16
+2.9pp
4 persons
-6
-4.1pp
5 persons
-5
-2.8pp
6 or more persons
+9
+2.3pp
Data table
Household size for Paterson (NSW). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dungog (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Dungog (A)% | Count | % | Dungog (A)% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 71 | 20.9% | 24.2% | 50 | 16.7% | 23.9% | +21 | +4.2pp |
| 2 persons | 113 | 33.2% | 37.9% | 110 | 36.8% | 37.3% | +3 | -3.6pp |
| 3 persons | 60 | 17.6% | 14.0% | 44 | 14.7% | 14.6% | +16 | +2.9pp |
| 4 persons | 51 | 15.0% | 13.9% | 57 | 19.1% | 14.4% | -6 | -4.1pp |
| 5 persons | 26 | 7.6% | 6.7% | 31 | 10.4% | 6.4% | -5 | -2.8pp |
| 6 or more persons | 17 | 5.0% | 3.4% | 8 | 2.7% | 3.1% | +9 | +2.3pp |
| Total classifiable households | 340 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 299 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |