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, two-person households was the most common household size among households in Forbes (A), accounting for 36.7% (1,306 households). This share was higher than Regional NSW (36.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in one-person households, which increased by 81 households and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Forbes (A) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Forbes (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forbes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
1,115
% of total
31.3%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
1,115
31.3%
+1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
1,306
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,306
36.7%
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
412
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
412
11.6%
-1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
388
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
388
10.9%
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
227
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
227
6.4%
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
114
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
114
3.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+81
+1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+20
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
-28
-1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+4
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
-13
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Household size for Forbes (A). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 1,115 | 31.3% | 27.9% | 1,034 | 29.6% | 27.5% | +81 | +1.7pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 1,306 | 36.7% | 36.4% | 1,286 | 36.8% | 36.3% | +20 | -0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 412 | 11.6% | 14.1% | 440 | 12.6% | 14.2% | -28 | -1.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 388 | 10.9% | 13.0% | 384 | 11.0% | 13.2% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 227 | 6.4% | 5.8% | 240 | 6.9% | 6.0% | -13 | -0.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 114 | 3.2% | 2.8% | 109 | 3.1% | 2.8% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,563 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,496 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +67 | 0.0pp |