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, high density was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in North Melbourne, accounting for 63.4% (4,580 dwellings). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (83.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in high density, which increased by 444 dwellings and 2.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

North Melbourne - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for North Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for North Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).

North Melbourne
Melbourne (C)

Separate house

2021 count

280

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-2.2pp

Medium density

2021 count

2,301

% of total

31.9%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

High density

2021 count

4,580

% of total

63.4%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Other

2021 count

54

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

8

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Data table

Dwelling type for North Melbourne. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).

Dwelling type for North Melbourne. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Dwelling type for North Melbourne. Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Melbourne (C)%Count%Melbourne (C)%Countpp
Separate house2803.9%2.1%4156.1%2.8%-135-2.2pp
Medium density2,30131.9%13.5%2,10631.1%14.8%+195+0.8pp
High density4,58063.4%83.6%4,13661.1%80.9%+444+2.3pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat00.0%0.0%00.0%0.0%00.0pp
Other540.7%0.4%530.8%0.7%+1-0.1pp
Not stated80.1%0.4%500.7%0.7%-42-0.6pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings7,220100.0%100.0%6,764100.0%100.0%+4560.0pp