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 Chatswood, accounting for 33.3% (3,173 households). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (31.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 2 persons, which increased by 387 households and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Household size
Chatswood - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household size for Chatswood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Household size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
1 person
2021 count
2,291
% of total
24.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
2,291
24.1%
+2.1pp
2 persons
2021 count
3,173
% of total
33.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
3,173
33.3%
+2.0pp
3 persons
2021 count
1,770
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,770
18.6%
-2.4pp
4 persons
2021 count
1,631
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,631
17.1%
-0.2pp
5 persons
2021 count
436
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
436
4.6%
-1.1pp
6 or more persons
2021 count
217
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
217
2.3%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Household size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
1 person
+334
+2.1pp
2 persons
+387
+2.0pp
3 persons
-101
-2.4pp
4 persons
+96
-0.2pp
5 persons
-74
-1.1pp
6 or more persons
-13
-0.3pp
Data table
Household size for Chatswood. Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| 1 person | 2,291 | 24.1% | 22.9% | 1,957 | 22.0% | 21.2% | +334 | +2.1pp |
| 2 persons | 3,173 | 33.3% | 31.7% | 2,786 | 31.3% | 30.7% | +387 | +2.0pp |
| 3 persons | 1,770 | 18.6% | 17.8% | 1,871 | 21.0% | 19.1% | -101 | -2.4pp |
| 4 persons | 1,631 | 17.1% | 19.3% | 1,535 | 17.3% | 19.5% | +96 | -0.2pp |
| 5 persons | 436 | 4.6% | 6.1% | 510 | 5.7% | 7.2% | -74 | -1.1pp |
| 6 or more persons | 217 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 230 | 2.6% | 2.4% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Total classifiable households | 9,524 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +633 | 0.0pp |