Households

Family blending

About this topic

Family blending classifies couple families with children according to whether the children are shared by both partners, from a previous relationship, or a mix of both. It applies only to couple families with children, not to all family types or all households.

This topic can help show patterns of repartnering and family complexity within an area. It should be interpreted with household type and households with children, because it is a specialised family-structure measure rather than a summary of all families.

Interpretation notes

  • This derived family view applies only to couple families with children, not all families or all households.
  • It classifies whether children are shared, step, or blended within the couple family, so it should not be compared directly with headline household totals.

Key insight

In 2021, intact families was the most common family type among couple families with children in Mitchell (S), accounting for 86.4% (5,346 families). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (87.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in intact families, which increased by 1,069 families, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Family blending

Mitchell (S) - Total couples with children (Enumerated)

This table summarises family blending for Mitchell (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.

Family blending change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Intact Family

+1,069

-0.1pp

Step family

+117

+0.4pp

Blended family

+47

-0.3pp

Other couple family

+9

+0.1pp

Data table

Family blending for Mitchell (S). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..

Family blending for Mitchell (S). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Family blending for Mitchell (S). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Vic.%Count%Regional Vic.%Countpp
Intact Family5,34686.4%87.1%4,27786.5%87.7%+1,069-0.1pp
Step family5008.1%7.9%3837.7%7.1%+117+0.4pp
Blended family3085.0%4.4%2615.3%4.5%+47-0.3pp
Other couple family350.6%0.6%260.5%0.6%+9+0.1pp
Total couples with children6,184100.0%100.0%4,947100.0%100.0%+1,2370.0pp