Housing
Dwelling type
About this topic
Dwelling type shows the structure of dwellings, such as separate houses, medium density housing, and higher density housing. It is a core measure of built form and residential density within an area.
This topic helps explain the housing role of an area and the kinds of households it may attract. It is best read with household size, household type, tenure, and age structure, because built form and population characteristics are closely related.
Interpretation notes
- Dwelling structure describes the physical form of dwellings counted on Census night rather than tenure, housing condition, or household makeup.
- It is strongest when read alongside household size and tenure, because structure alone does not show who lives there.
Key insight
In 2021, high density was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Port Phillip (C), accounting for 53.4% (27,849 dwellings). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (11%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in high density, which increased by 1,450 dwellings and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Port Phillip (C) - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Port Phillip (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Phillip (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Separate house
2021 count
4,400
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,400
8.4%
0.0pp
Medium density
2021 count
19,094
% of total
36.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
19,094
36.6%
-1.1pp
High density
2021 count
27,849
% of total
53.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
27,849
53.4%
+1.2pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Other
2021 count
651
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
651
1.2%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
110
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
110
0.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+131
0.0pp
Medium density
+30
-1.1pp
High density
+1,450
+1.2pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
-11
0.0pp
Other
+6
-0.1pp
Not stated
-99
-0.2pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Port Phillip (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 4,400 | 8.4% | 67.3% | 4,269 | 8.4% | 66.8% | +131 | 0.0pp |
| Medium density | 19,094 | 36.6% | 21.2% | 19,064 | 37.7% | 22.7% | +30 | -1.1pp |
| High density | 27,849 | 53.4% | 11.0% | 26,399 | 52.2% | 9.7% | +1,450 | +1.2pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.0% | 0.2% | -11 | 0.0pp |
| Other | 651 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 645 | 1.3% | 0.3% | +6 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 110 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 209 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -99 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 52,106 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,601 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,505 | 0.0pp |