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, medium density was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Balmain, accounting for 47.6% (2,218 dwellings). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (40.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 603 dwellings and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Balmain - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Balmain in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Balmain, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Separate house
2021 count
995
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
995
21.3%
+12.8pp
Medium density
2021 count
2,218
% of total
47.6%
Change from 2016
-12.8pp
2,218
47.6%
-12.8pp
High density
2021 count
1,418
% of total
30.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,418
30.4%
+0.5pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
14
0.3%
+0.3pp
Other
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.3%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
7
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
7
0.2%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+603
+12.8pp
Medium density
-569
-12.8pp
High density
+40
+0.5pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
+14
+0.3pp
Other
-2
0.0pp
Not stated
-27
-0.5pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Balmain. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 995 | 21.3% | 28.4% | 392 | 8.5% | 24.3% | +603 | +12.8pp |
| Medium density | 2,218 | 47.6% | 40.7% | 2,787 | 60.4% | 46.7% | -569 | -12.8pp |
| High density | 1,418 | 30.4% | 29.2% | 1,378 | 29.9% | 26.5% | +40 | +0.5pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 14 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Other | 13 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 15 | 0.3% | 1.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 7 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.7% | 0.8% | -27 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 4,662 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,612 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +50 | 0.0pp |