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 Sutherland Shire (A), accounting for 60.2% (51,517 dwellings). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (55.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in high density, which increased by 3,565 dwellings and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

Sutherland Shire (A) - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for Sutherland Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Sutherland Shire (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.

Sutherland Shire (A)
Greater Sydney

Separate house

2021 count

51,517

% of total

60.2%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Medium density

2021 count

16,033

% of total

18.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

High density

2021 count

17,545

% of total

20.5%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

134

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Other

2021 count

195

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

123

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Data table

Dwelling type for Sutherland Shire (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.

Dwelling type for Sutherland Shire (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Dwelling type for Sutherland Shire (A). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Sydney%Count%Greater Sydney%Countpp
Separate house51,51760.2%55.2%49,71862.8%55.7%+1,799-2.6pp
Medium density16,03318.7%18.5%14,81118.7%20.1%+1,2220.0pp
High density17,54520.5%25.5%13,98017.7%23.1%+3,565+2.8pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat1340.2%0.1%2150.3%0.2%-81-0.1pp
Other1950.2%0.4%2380.3%0.5%-43-0.1pp
Not stated1230.1%0.2%2090.3%0.4%-86-0.2pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings85,555100.0%100.0%79,167100.0%100.0%+6,3880.0pp