Households
Households with children
About this topic
Households with children groups households according to whether children are present and the life stage of those children. In this topic, life stage is based on the ages of the children in the household rather than the age of the parents.
This topic is useful for understanding likely demand for childcare, schools, youth services, and family housing. It should be read with household size, age structure, and dwelling type to build a fuller picture of family life in an area.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived subset of households that classifies households by whether children are present and by the ages of those children.
- The life-stage labels describe the ages of children in the household, not the ages of parents or carers.
Key insight
In 2021, households with children was the most common household life-stage group among households in Western Downs (R), accounting for 35.4% (4,769 households). This share was lower than Regional Qld (36.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in single parents with children, which increased by 173 households and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Households with children by life stage
Western Downs (R) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises households with children for Western Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Households with children by life stage snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Western Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Couples with children
2021 count
3,353
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
3,353
24.9%
-1.6pp
Couples with young children
2021 count
1,946
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,946
14.4%
-1.7pp
Couples with mixed-age children
2021 count
584
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
584
4.3%
+0.4pp
Couples with older children
2021 count
824
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
824
6.1%
-0.4pp
Single parents with children
2021 count
1,416
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,416
10.5%
+0.9pp
Single parents with young children
2021 count
671
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
671
5.0%
+0.3pp
Single parents with mixed-age children
2021 count
190
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
190
1.4%
+0.1pp
Single parents with older children
2021 count
551
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
551
4.1%
+0.5pp
Total households with children
2021 count
4,769
% of total
35.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
4,769
35.4%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Households with children by life stage change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Couples with children
-76
-1.6pp
Couples with young children
-135
-1.7pp
Couples with mixed-age children
+76
+0.4pp
Couples with older children
-13
-0.4pp
Single parents with children
+173
+0.9pp
Single parents with young children
+56
+0.3pp
Single parents with mixed-age children
+28
+0.1pp
Single parents with older children
+86
+0.5pp
Total households with children
+97
-0.7pp
Data table
Households with children for Western Downs (R). Households with children by life stage. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Couples with children | 3,353 | 24.9% | 25.5% | 3,429 | 26.5% | 26.3% | -76 | -1.6pp |
| Couples with young children | 1,946 | 14.4% | 14.2% | 2,081 | 16.1% | 14.9% | -135 | -1.7pp |
| Couples with mixed-age children | 584 | 4.3% | 3.9% | 508 | 3.9% | 3.9% | +76 | +0.4pp |
| Couples with older children | 824 | 6.1% | 7.4% | 837 | 6.5% | 7.4% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Single parents with children | 1,416 | 10.5% | 11.2% | 1,243 | 9.6% | 11.0% | +173 | +0.9pp |
| Single parents with young children | 671 | 5.0% | 4.7% | 615 | 4.7% | 4.9% | +56 | +0.3pp |
| Single parents with mixed-age children | 190 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 162 | 1.3% | 1.4% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Single parents with older children | 551 | 4.1% | 5.0% | 465 | 3.6% | 4.7% | +86 | +0.5pp |
| Total households with children | 4,769 | 35.4% | 36.7% | 4,672 | 36.1% | 37.2% | +97 | -0.7pp |
| Total households | 13,484 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,954 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +530 | 0.0pp |