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, 2 persons was the most common household size among households in Thursday Island, accounting for 24% (178 households). This share was higher than Torres (S) (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 6 or more persons, which decreased by 22 households and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Thursday Island - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Thursday Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Torres (S) and change since 2016.

Household size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Thursday Island, with comparison markers for Torres (S).

Thursday Island
Torres (S)

1 person

2021 count

172

% of total

23.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

2 persons

2021 count

178

% of total

24.0%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

3 persons

2021 count

92

% of total

12.4%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

4 persons

2021 count

115

% of total

15.5%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

5 persons

2021 count

89

% of total

12.0%

Change from 2016

+2.7pp

6 or more persons

2021 count

104

% of total

14.0%

Change from 2016

-3.5pp

Data table

Household size for Thursday Island. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).

Household size for Thursday Island. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
Household size for Thursday Island. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Torres (S)%Count%Torres (S)%Countpp
1 person17223.2%25.5%16623.1%24.7%+6+0.1pp
2 persons17824.0%22.1%17023.6%22.8%+8+0.4pp
3 persons9212.4%12.7%10114.0%13.1%-9-1.6pp
4 persons11515.5%14.6%10013.9%13.5%+15+1.6pp
5 persons8912.0%10.7%679.3%8.8%+22+2.7pp
6 or more persons10414.0%13.2%12617.5%16.9%-22-3.5pp
Total classifiable households742100.0%100.0%720100.0%100.0%+220.0pp