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, separate houses was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Northern Beaches (A), accounting for 56.8% (55,334 dwellings). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (55.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 3,055 dwellings and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Northern Beaches (A) - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Northern Beaches (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Beaches (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Separate house
2021 count
55,334
% of total
56.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
55,334
56.8%
+0.2pp
Medium density
2021 count
16,255
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
16,255
16.7%
-0.2pp
High density
2021 count
25,143
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
25,143
25.8%
+0.5pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
103
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
103
0.1%
-0.3pp
Other
2021 count
350
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
350
0.4%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
191
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
191
0.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+3,055
+0.2pp
Medium density
+600
-0.2pp
High density
+1,797
+0.5pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
-239
-0.3pp
Other
-31
0.0pp
Not stated
-209
-0.2pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Northern Beaches (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 55,334 | 56.8% | 55.2% | 52,279 | 56.6% | 55.7% | +3,055 | +0.2pp |
| Medium density | 16,255 | 16.7% | 18.5% | 15,655 | 16.9% | 20.1% | +600 | -0.2pp |
| High density | 25,143 | 25.8% | 25.5% | 23,346 | 25.3% | 23.1% | +1,797 | +0.5pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 103 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 342 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -239 | -0.3pp |
| Other | 350 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 381 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -31 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 191 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 400 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -209 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 97,369 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 92,390 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,979 | 0.0pp |