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 Virginia (SA), accounting for 88.6% (333 families). This share was higher than Playford (C) (83%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in intact families, which increased by 327 families, while its share fell by 11.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Family blending

Virginia (SA) - Total couples with children (Enumerated)

This table summarises family blending for Virginia (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.

Family blending snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Virginia (SA), with comparison markers for Playford (C).

Virginia (SA)
Playford (C)

Intact Family

2021 count

333

% of total

88.6%

Change from 2016

-11.4pp

Step family

2021 count

20

% of total

5.3%

Change from 2016

+5.3pp

Blended family

2021 count

13

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

+3.5pp

Other couple family

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Family blending for Virginia (SA). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).

Family blending for Virginia (SA). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Family blending for Virginia (SA). Family blending. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Playford (C)%Count%Playford (C)%Countpp
Intact Family33388.6%83.0%6100.0%82.0%+327-11.4pp
Step family205.3%9.4%00.0%9.8%+20+5.3pp
Blended family133.5%6.7%00.0%7.2%+13+3.5pp
Other couple family00.0%0.9%00.0%0.8%00.0pp
Total couples with children376100.0%100.0%6100.0%100.0%+3700.0pp