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 South Penrith, accounting for 32.7% (1,388 households). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (29.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 1 person, which increased by 120 households and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
South Penrith - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for South Penrith in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Penrith, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
1 person
2021 count
879
% of total
20.7%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
879
20.7%
+2.1pp
2 persons
2021 count
1,388
% of total
32.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,388
32.7%
-1.0pp
3 persons
2021 count
758
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
758
17.9%
-0.7pp
4 persons
2021 count
734
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
734
17.3%
+0.2pp
5 persons
2021 count
317
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
317
7.5%
-0.8pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
170
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
170
4.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+120
+2.1pp
2 persons
+17
-1.0pp
3 persons
+1
-0.7pp
4 persons
+37
+0.2pp
5 persons
-21
-0.8pp
6 or more persons
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Household size for South Penrith. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 879 | 20.7% | 21.8% | 759 | 18.6% | 19.2% | +120 | +2.1pp |
| 2 persons | 1,388 | 32.7% | 29.5% | 1,371 | 33.7% | 29.6% | +17 | -1.0pp |
| 3 persons | 758 | 17.9% | 17.9% | 757 | 18.6% | 18.3% | +1 | -0.7pp |
| 4 persons | 734 | 17.3% | 17.6% | 697 | 17.1% | 18.6% | +37 | +0.2pp |
| 5 persons | 317 | 7.5% | 8.2% | 338 | 8.3% | 8.8% | -21 | -0.8pp |
| 6 or more persons | 170 | 4.0% | 4.9% | 163 | 4.0% | 5.5% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total classifiable households | 4,244 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,072 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +172 | 0.0pp |