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, separate houses was the most common dwelling type among dwellings in Surf Coast (S), accounting for 92.7% (13,329 dwellings). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (89.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 3,378 dwellings and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Dwelling structure
Surf Coast (S) - Dwellings (Enumerated)
This table summarises dwelling type for Surf Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Dwelling structure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Surf Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Separate house
2021 count
13,329
% of total
92.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
13,329
92.7%
+1.2pp
Medium density
2021 count
874
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
874
6.1%
-0.6pp
High density
2021 count
56
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
56
0.4%
-0.2pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
2021 count
76
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
76
0.5%
+0.1pp
Other
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
0.1%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
30
0.2%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Dwelling structure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Separate house
+3,378
+1.2pp
Medium density
+140
-0.6pp
High density
-7
-0.2pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat
+37
+0.1pp
Other
-12
-0.1pp
Not stated
-32
-0.4pp
Data table
Dwelling type for Surf Coast (S). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Separate house | 13,329 | 92.7% | 89.2% | 9,951 | 91.5% | 88.2% | +3,378 | +1.2pp |
| Medium density | 874 | 6.1% | 9.2% | 734 | 6.7% | 9.7% | +140 | -0.6pp |
| High density | 56 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 63 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 76 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 39 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +37 | +0.1pp |
| Other | 13 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 30 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 62 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -32 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupied Private Dwellings | 14,380 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,881 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,499 | 0.0pp |