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 Northern Grampians (S), accounting for 88.2% (919 families). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (87.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in step families, which decreased by 10 families and 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Family blending

Northern Grampians (S) - Total couples with children (Enumerated)

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

Family blending snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Northern Grampians (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..

Northern Grampians (S)
Regional Vic.

Intact Family

2021 count

919

% of total

88.2%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Step family

2021 count

70

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Blended family

2021 count

54

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Other couple family

2021 count

6

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

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

Family blending for Northern Grampians (S). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Family blending for Northern Grampians (S). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Vic.%Count%Regional Vic.%Countpp
Intact Family91988.2%87.1%91287.7%87.7%+7+0.5pp
Step family706.7%7.9%807.7%7.1%-10-1.0pp
Blended family545.2%4.4%464.4%4.5%+8+0.8pp
Other couple family60.6%0.6%70.7%0.6%-1-0.1pp
Total couples with children1,042100.0%100.0%1,040100.0%100.0%+20.0pp