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 Sunshine Coast (R), accounting for 38.2% (48,901 households). This share was higher than Regional Qld (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 7,258 households, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Sunshine Coast (R) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Sunshine Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
30,061
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30,061
23.5%
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
48,901
% of total
38.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
48,901
38.2%
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
19,321
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19,321
15.1%
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
18,846
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18,846
14.7%
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
7,485
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
7,485
5.9%
+0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
3,316
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,316
2.6%
0.0pp
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+4,576
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+7,258
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+2,976
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+2,877
0.0pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+1,136
+0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+519
0.0pp
Data table
Household size for Sunshine Coast (R). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 30,061 | 23.5% | 25.6% | 25,485 | 23.5% | 24.9% | +4,576 | 0.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 48,901 | 38.2% | 36.9% | 41,643 | 38.3% | 36.8% | +7,258 | -0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 19,321 | 15.1% | 14.9% | 16,345 | 15.1% | 15.2% | +2,976 | 0.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 18,846 | 14.7% | 13.6% | 15,969 | 14.7% | 14.0% | +2,877 | 0.0pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 7,485 | 5.9% | 5.8% | 6,349 | 5.8% | 6.0% | +1,136 | +0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 3,316 | 2.6% | 3.2% | 2,797 | 2.6% | 3.2% | +519 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 127,927 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 108,589 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +19,338 | 0.0pp |