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 Wollongong (C), accounting for 67.7% (56,782 dwellings). This share was lower than Regional NSW (81.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in separate houses, which increased by 3,824 dwellings, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Dwelling structure

Wollongong (C) - Dwellings (Enumerated)

This table summarises dwelling type for Wollongong (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Dwelling structure snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Wollongong (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Wollongong (C)
Regional NSW

Separate house

2021 count

56,782

% of total

67.7%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Medium density

2021 count

16,759

% of total

20.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

High density

2021 count

9,508

% of total

11.3%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Caravans, cabin, houseboat

2021 count

304

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Other

2021 count

344

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

183

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Data table

Dwelling type for Wollongong (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Dwelling type for Wollongong (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Dwelling type for Wollongong (C). Dwelling structure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Separate house56,78267.7%81.4%52,95868.3%80.9%+3,824-0.6pp
Medium density16,75920.0%14.0%15,59120.1%13.8%+1,168-0.1pp
High density9,50811.3%2.5%7,6759.9%2.2%+1,833+1.4pp
Caravans, cabin, houseboat3040.4%1.2%4500.6%1.8%-146-0.2pp
Other3440.4%0.4%4070.5%0.6%-63-0.1pp
Not stated1830.2%0.4%4960.6%0.8%-313-0.4pp
Total Occupied Private Dwellings83,868100.0%100.0%77,588100.0%100.0%+6,2800.0pp