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 Kiama (A), accounting for 75.6% (6,852 dwellings). This share was lower than Regional NSW (81.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 459 dwellings, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

Kiama (A) - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for Kiama (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Kiama (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Kiama (A)
Regional NSW

Separate house

2021 count

6,852

% of total

75.6%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Medium density

2021 count

1,595

% of total

17.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

High density

2021 count

516

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

47

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Other

2021 count

33

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

25

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Data table

Dwelling type for Kiama (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Dwelling type for Kiama (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Dwelling type for Kiama (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Separate house6,85275.6%81.4%6,39377.1%80.9%+459-1.5pp
Medium density1,59517.6%14.0%1,37716.6%13.8%+218+1.0pp
High density5165.7%2.5%3193.8%2.2%+197+1.9pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat470.5%1.2%951.1%1.8%-48-0.6pp
Other330.4%0.4%380.5%0.6%-5-0.1pp
Not stated250.3%0.4%831.0%0.8%-58-0.7pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings9,064100.0%100.0%8,293100.0%100.0%+7710.0pp