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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 32.7% (55,046 households). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (32.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 8,131 households, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Unincorporated ACT - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
43,338
% of total
25.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
43,338
25.7%
+0.9pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
55,046
% of total
32.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
55,046
32.7%
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
27,850
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
27,850
16.5%
-0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
27,707
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
27,707
16.5%
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
10,173
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10,173
6.0%
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
4,280
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,280
2.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+7,925
+0.9pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+8,131
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+3,675
-0.4pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+3,921
-0.2pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+1,446
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+627
-0.1pp
Data table
Household size for Unincorporated ACT. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 43,338 | 25.7% | 25.7% | 35,413 | 24.8% | 24.8% | +7,925 | +0.9pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 55,046 | 32.7% | 32.7% | 46,915 | 32.9% | 32.9% | +8,131 | -0.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 27,850 | 16.5% | 16.5% | 24,175 | 16.9% | 16.9% | +3,675 | -0.4pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 27,707 | 16.5% | 16.5% | 23,786 | 16.7% | 16.7% | +3,921 | -0.2pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 10,173 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 8,727 | 6.1% | 6.1% | +1,446 | -0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 4,280 | 2.5% | 2.5% | 3,653 | 2.6% | 2.6% | +627 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 168,400 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 142,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25,736 | 0.0pp |