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 Whittlesea (C), accounting for 85.9% (67,711 dwellings). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (67.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 12,186 dwellings and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

Whittlesea (C) - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for Whittlesea (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.

Whittlesea (C)
Greater Melbourne

Separate house

2021 count

67,711

% of total

85.9%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Medium density

2021 count

9,916

% of total

12.6%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

High density

2021 count

1,057

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

4

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Other

2021 count

43

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

57

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Dwelling type for Whittlesea (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Dwelling type for Whittlesea (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Dwelling type for Whittlesea (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Separate house67,71185.9%67.3%55,52583.5%66.8%+12,186+2.4pp
Medium density9,91612.6%21.2%10,07915.2%22.7%-163-2.6pp
High density1,0571.3%11.0%7911.2%9.7%+266+0.1pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat40.0%0.1%50.0%0.2%-10.0pp
Other430.1%0.3%220.0%0.3%+21+0.1pp
Not stated570.1%0.1%1160.2%0.3%-59-0.1pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings78,791100.0%100.0%66,528100.0%100.0%+12,2630.0pp