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, one-person households was the most common household size among households in Peterborough (DC), accounting for 45.2% (327 households). This share was higher than Regional SA (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in five-person households, which decreased by 19 households and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Peterborough (DC) - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Peterborough (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.

Household size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Peterborough (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.

Peterborough (DC)
Regional SA

Number Of Persons Usually Resident One

2021 count

327

% of total

45.2%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two

2021 count

274

% of total

37.9%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three

2021 count

58

% of total

8.0%

Change from 2016

-1.7pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four

2021 count

34

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five

2021 count

13

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-2.4pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More

2021 count

14

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Household size for Peterborough (DC). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.

Household size for Peterborough (DC). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Household size for Peterborough (DC). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional SA%Count%Regional SA%Countpp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One32745.2%31.3%32543.0%30.3%+2+2.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two27437.9%38.7%27836.8%38.4%-4+1.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three588.0%12.0%739.7%12.3%-15-1.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four344.7%10.7%516.8%11.5%-17-2.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five131.8%5.0%324.2%5.3%-19-2.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More141.9%2.3%111.5%2.2%+3+0.4pp
Total723100.0%100.0%755100.0%100.0%-320.0pp