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, one-person households was the most common household size among households in Carlton (Vic.), accounting for 45.3% (3,137 households). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (43.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in one-person households, which increased by 1,011 households and 14.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Carlton (Vic.) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Carlton (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carlton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
3,137
% of total
45.3%
Change from 2016
+14.7pp
3,137
45.3%
+14.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
2,569
% of total
37.1%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
2,569
37.1%
+4.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
705
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
705
10.2%
-6.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
345
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-9.7pp
345
5.0%
-9.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
87
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
87
1.3%
-3.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
77
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
77
1.1%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+1,011
+14.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+315
+4.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
-434
-6.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
-675
-9.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
-218
-3.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
-18
-0.3pp
Data table
Household size for Carlton (Vic.). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 3,137 | 45.3% | 43.1% | 2,126 | 30.6% | 36.2% | +1,011 | +14.7pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 2,569 | 37.1% | 39.5% | 2,254 | 32.5% | 40.5% | +315 | +4.6pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 705 | 10.2% | 10.8% | 1,139 | 16.4% | 14.1% | -434 | -6.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 345 | 5.0% | 4.9% | 1,020 | 14.7% | 6.4% | -675 | -9.7pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 87 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 305 | 4.4% | 1.9% | -218 | -3.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 77 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 95 | 1.4% | 0.9% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 6,924 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,944 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -20 | 0.0pp |