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, two-person households was the most common household size among households in Melton (C), accounting for 25.3% (13,890 households). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in four-person households, which increased by 2,962 households, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Melton (C) - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Melton (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Household size snapshot

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

Melton (C)
Greater Melbourne

Number Of Persons Usually Resident One

2021 count

9,052

% of total

16.5%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two

2021 count

13,890

% of total

25.3%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three

2021 count

10,663

% of total

19.4%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four

2021 count

12,425

% of total

22.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five

2021 count

5,511

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More

2021 count

3,365

% of total

6.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Household size for Melton (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Household size for Melton (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Household size for Melton (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One9,05216.5%24.8%6,71416.1%23.2%+2,338+0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two13,89025.3%31.3%11,08226.6%31.4%+2,808-1.3pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three10,66319.4%16.9%7,92919.0%17.3%+2,734+0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four12,42522.6%17.2%9,46322.7%17.6%+2,962-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five5,51110.0%6.6%4,1259.9%7.1%+1,386+0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More3,3656.1%3.2%2,3925.7%3.5%+973+0.4pp
Total54,907100.0%100.0%41,704100.0%100.0%+13,2030.0pp