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 with children was the most common household type among households in Malvern East, accounting for 33% (2,833 households). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (18.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in lone-person households, which increased by 342 households and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Household type

Malvern East - Total households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household type for Malvern East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.

Household type snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Malvern East, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).

Malvern East
Stonnington (C)

Couples with children

2021 count

2,833

% of total

33.0%

Change from 2016

-1.7pp

Couples without children

2021 count

2,049

% of total

23.9%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

One parent families

2021 count

655

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Other families

2021 count

112

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Group household

2021 count

492

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Lone person

2021 count

2,189

% of total

25.5%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Other not classifiable household

2021 count

246

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Data table

Household type for Malvern East. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Stonnington (C).

Household type for Malvern East. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Stonnington (C).
Household type for Malvern East. Household type. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Stonnington (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Stonnington (C)%Count%Stonnington (C)%Countpp
Couples with children2,83333.0%18.5%2,82734.7%19.5%+6-1.7pp
Couples without children2,04923.9%25.3%1,81222.3%25.0%+237+1.6pp
One parent families6557.6%5.9%5847.2%5.5%+71+0.4pp
Other families1121.3%1.3%1311.6%1.6%-19-0.3pp
Group household4925.7%6.9%5897.2%8.9%-97-1.5pp
Lone person2,18925.5%37.3%1,84722.7%31.7%+342+2.8pp
Other not classifiable household2462.9%4.9%3514.3%7.8%-105-1.4pp
Total households8,576100.0%100.0%8,141100.0%100.0%+4350.0pp