Households

Household type

About this topic

Household type summarises the mix of household and family structures in an area, such as couples with children, lone person households, and one-parent families. It is one of the clearest indicators of how people live together and the residential role of an area.

This topic is useful for planning services, facilities, and housing because demand is closely tied to household structure. It is best read with households with children, households without children, household size, age structure, and dwelling type.

Interpretation notes

  • This is a derived household-composition view built from relationships within dwellings, so it summarises household structure rather than a single Census question.
  • It is dwelling-based, which means different household types can reflect both family structure and housing arrangements.

Key insight

In 2021, couples without children was the most common household type among households in Southern Downs (R), accounting for 31.2% (4,731 households). This share was higher than Regional Qld (27.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in couples without children, which increased by 416 households and 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Household type

Southern Downs (R) - Total households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household type for Southern Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.

Household type snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Southern Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.

Southern Downs (R)
Regional Qld

Couples with children

2021 count

3,180

% of total

21.0%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Couples without children

2021 count

4,731

% of total

31.2%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

One parent families

2021 count

1,537

% of total

10.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Other families

2021 count

129

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Group household

2021 count

331

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Lone person

2021 count

4,122

% of total

27.2%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Other not classifiable household

2021 count

1,135

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Data table

Household type for Southern Downs (R). Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.

Household type for Southern Downs (R). Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Household type for Southern Downs (R). Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
Couples with children3,18021.0%25.2%3,40023.8%26.1%-220-2.8pp
Couples without children4,73131.2%27.3%4,31530.2%26.8%+416+1.0pp
One parent families1,53710.1%10.8%1,42710.0%10.5%+110+0.1pp
Other families1290.9%1.0%1431.0%0.9%-14-0.1pp
Group household3312.2%3.6%3252.3%3.8%+6-0.1pp
Lone person4,12227.2%23.4%3,74726.2%22.5%+375+1.0pp
Other not classifiable household1,1357.5%8.6%9366.5%9.5%+199+1.0pp
Total households15,165100.0%100.0%14,293100.0%100.0%+8720.0pp