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 Shellharbour (C), accounting for 34.6% (9,529 households). This share was lower than Regional NSW (36.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 1,723 households and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Shellharbour (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Shellharbour (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shellharbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
5,942
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
5,942
21.6%
+1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
9,529
% of total
34.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
9,529
34.6%
+1.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
4,584
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
4,584
16.6%
-0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
4,644
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
4,644
16.9%
-1.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
1,915
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,915
7.0%
-0.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
935
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
935
3.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+1,083
+1.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+1,723
+1.6pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+555
-0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+388
-1.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+103
-0.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+56
-0.3pp
Data table
Household size for Shellharbour (C). 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 | 5,942 | 21.6% | 27.9% | 4,859 | 20.6% | 27.5% | +1,083 | +1.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 9,529 | 34.6% | 36.4% | 7,806 | 33.0% | 36.3% | +1,723 | +1.6pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 4,584 | 16.6% | 14.1% | 4,029 | 17.0% | 14.2% | +555 | -0.4pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 4,644 | 16.9% | 13.0% | 4,256 | 18.0% | 13.2% | +388 | -1.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 1,915 | 7.0% | 5.8% | 1,812 | 7.7% | 6.0% | +103 | -0.7pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 935 | 3.4% | 2.8% | 879 | 3.7% | 2.8% | +56 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 27,543 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,643 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,900 | 0.0pp |