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 Whittlesea (C), accounting for 28.2% (21,436 households). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 3,415 households, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Whittlesea (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Whittlesea (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
2021 count
13,808
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
13,808
18.2%
+1.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
2021 count
21,436
% of total
28.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21,436
28.2%
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
2021 count
14,683
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
14,683
19.3%
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
2021 count
15,968
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
15,968
21.0%
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
2021 count
6,726
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
6,726
8.9%
-0.3pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
2021 count
3,350
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
3,350
4.4%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One
+3,374
+1.8pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two
+3,415
-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three
+2,077
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four
+2,253
-0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five
+861
-0.3pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More
+313
-0.4pp
Data table
Household size for Whittlesea (C). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident One | 13,808 | 18.2% | 24.8% | 10,434 | 16.4% | 23.2% | +3,374 | +1.8pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two | 21,436 | 28.2% | 31.3% | 18,021 | 28.3% | 31.4% | +3,415 | -0.1pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three | 14,683 | 19.3% | 16.9% | 12,606 | 19.8% | 17.3% | +2,077 | -0.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four | 15,968 | 21.0% | 17.2% | 13,715 | 21.5% | 17.6% | +2,253 | -0.5pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five | 6,726 | 8.9% | 6.6% | 5,865 | 9.2% | 7.1% | +861 | -0.3pp |
| Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More | 3,350 | 4.4% | 3.2% | 3,037 | 4.8% | 3.5% | +313 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 75,971 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 63,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,293 | 0.0pp |