Households
Household type
About this topic
Household type summarises the mix of household and family structures in an area, such as couples with children, lone person households, and one-parent families. It is one of the clearest indicators of how people live together and the residential role of an area.
This topic is useful for planning services, facilities, and housing because demand is closely tied to household structure. It is best read with households with children, households without children, household size, age structure, and dwelling type.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived household-composition view built from relationships within dwellings, so it summarises household structure rather than a single Census question.
- It is dwelling-based, which means different household types can reflect both family structure and housing arrangements.
Key insight
In 2021, lone-person households was the most common household type among households in Mackay, accounting for 40% (777 households). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (21.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in lone-person households, which increased by 106 households and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Household type
Mackay - Total households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household type for Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Household type snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Couples with children
2021 count
211
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
211
10.9%
-3.5pp
Couples without children
2021 count
325
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
325
16.7%
-0.7pp
One parent families
2021 count
170
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
170
8.8%
-0.1pp
Other families
2021 count
32
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
32
1.6%
+0.3pp
Group household
2021 count
101
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
101
5.2%
+1.0pp
Lone person
2021 count
777
% of total
40.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
777
40.0%
+0.6pp
Other not classifiable household
2021 count
326
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
326
16.8%
+2.4pp
Chart view
Household type change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Couples with children
-35
-3.5pp
Couples without children
+29
-0.7pp
One parent families
+18
-0.1pp
Other families
+10
+0.3pp
Group household
+29
+1.0pp
Lone person
+106
+0.6pp
Other not classifiable household
+80
+2.4pp
Data table
Household type for Mackay. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Couples with children | 211 | 10.9% | 28.7% | 246 | 14.4% | 29.6% | -35 | -3.5pp |
| Couples without children | 325 | 16.7% | 26.9% | 296 | 17.4% | 27.1% | +29 | -0.7pp |
| One parent families | 170 | 8.8% | 10.1% | 152 | 8.9% | 10.0% | +18 | -0.1pp |
| Other families | 32 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 22 | 1.3% | 0.9% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Group household | 101 | 5.2% | 2.8% | 72 | 4.2% | 2.8% | +29 | +1.0pp |
| Lone person | 777 | 40.0% | 21.9% | 671 | 39.4% | 21.7% | +106 | +0.6pp |
| Other not classifiable household | 326 | 16.8% | 8.6% | 246 | 14.4% | 7.8% | +80 | +2.4pp |
| Total households | 1,942 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,705 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +237 | 0.0pp |