Households
Households
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.
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 households for Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Household type snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Couples with children
Couples without children
One parent families
Other families
Group household
Lone person
Other not classifiable household
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
Households 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 |