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, 2 persons was the most common household size among households in Monash (C), accounting for 31.4% (21,041 households). This share was similar to Greater Melbourne (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 2 persons, which increased by 2,077 households and 0.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Monash (C) - Households (Enumerated)

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

Household size snapshot

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

Monash (C)
Greater Melbourne

1 person

2021 count

14,109

% of total

21.1%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

2 persons

2021 count

21,041

% of total

31.4%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

3 persons

2021 count

12,662

% of total

18.9%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

4 persons

2021 count

13,082

% of total

19.5%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

5 persons

2021 count

4,295

% of total

6.4%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

6 or more persons

2021 count

1,791

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

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

Household size for Monash (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Household size for Monash (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
1 person14,10921.1%24.8%12,29019.8%23.2%+1,819+1.3pp
2 persons21,04131.4%31.3%18,96430.5%31.4%+2,077+0.9pp
3 persons12,66218.9%16.9%12,06019.4%17.3%+602-0.5pp
4 persons13,08219.5%17.2%12,59320.2%17.6%+489-0.7pp
5 persons4,2956.4%6.6%4,4397.1%7.1%-144-0.7pp
6 or more persons1,7912.7%3.2%1,8793.0%3.5%-88-0.3pp
Total classifiable households66,979100.0%100.0%62,221100.0%100.0%+4,7580.0pp