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, two-person households was the most common household size among households in Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), accounting for 40% (13,953 households). This share was higher than Regional NSW (36.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 1,538 households, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
10,035
% of total
28.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10,035
28.8%
+0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
13,953
% of total
40.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
13,953
40.0%
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
4,398
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,398
12.6%
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
3,920
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,920
11.2%
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
1,704
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,704
4.9%
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
843
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
843
2.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+1,216
+0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+1,538
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+511
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+465
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+118
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+147
+0.1pp
Data table
Household size for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 10,035 | 28.8% | 27.9% | 8,819 | 28.6% | 27.5% | +1,216 | +0.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 13,953 | 40.0% | 36.4% | 12,415 | 40.2% | 36.3% | +1,538 | -0.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 4,398 | 12.6% | 14.1% | 3,887 | 12.6% | 14.2% | +511 | 0.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 3,920 | 11.2% | 13.0% | 3,455 | 11.2% | 13.2% | +465 | 0.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 1,704 | 4.9% | 5.8% | 1,586 | 5.1% | 6.0% | +118 | -0.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 843 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 696 | 2.3% | 2.8% | +147 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 34,848 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 30,855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,993 | 0.0pp |