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 Mernda, accounting for 25.8% (1,940 households). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 4 persons, which increased by 664 households and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Mernda - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Mernda in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mernda, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
1 person
2021 count
1,132
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,132
15.0%
+0.8pp
2 persons
2021 count
1,940
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,940
25.8%
-1.7pp
3 persons
2021 count
1,521
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,521
20.2%
-2.5pp
4 persons
2021 count
1,878
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,878
24.9%
+1.8pp
5 persons
2021 count
763
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
763
10.1%
+1.1pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
293
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
293
3.9%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+389
+0.8pp
2 persons
+495
-1.7pp
3 persons
+332
-2.5pp
4 persons
+664
+1.8pp
5 persons
+291
+1.1pp
6 or more persons
+112
+0.4pp
Data table
Household size for Mernda. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 1,132 | 15.0% | 18.2% | 743 | 14.2% | 16.4% | +389 | +0.8pp |
| 2 persons | 1,940 | 25.8% | 28.2% | 1,445 | 27.5% | 28.3% | +495 | -1.7pp |
| 3 persons | 1,521 | 20.2% | 19.3% | 1,189 | 22.7% | 19.8% | +332 | -2.5pp |
| 4 persons | 1,878 | 24.9% | 21.0% | 1,214 | 23.1% | 21.5% | +664 | +1.8pp |
| 5 persons | 763 | 10.1% | 8.9% | 472 | 9.0% | 9.2% | +291 | +1.1pp |
| 6 or more persons | 293 | 3.9% | 4.4% | 181 | 3.5% | 4.8% | +112 | +0.4pp |
| Total classifiable households | 7,530 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,246 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,284 | 0.0pp |