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 Yarra Ranges (S), accounting for 33.8% (18,871 households). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in two-person households, which increased by 1,606 households and 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Household size

Yarra Ranges (S) - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises household size for Yarra Ranges (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Household size change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Number Of Persons Usually Resident One

+1,097

+0.5pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two

+1,606

+0.5pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three

+641

-0.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four

+635

-0.1pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five

-86

-0.7pp

Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More

+54

-0.2pp

Data table

Household size for Yarra Ranges (S). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Household size for Yarra Ranges (S). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Household size for Yarra Ranges (S). Household size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident One11,89321.3%24.8%10,79620.8%23.2%+1,097+0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Two18,87133.8%31.3%17,26533.3%31.4%+1,606+0.5pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Three9,33816.7%16.9%8,69716.8%17.3%+641-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Four9,98817.9%17.2%9,35318.0%17.6%+635-0.1pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Five3,9687.1%6.6%4,0547.8%7.1%-86-0.7pp
Number Of Persons Usually Resident Six Or More1,7933.2%3.2%1,7393.4%3.5%+54-0.2pp
Total55,842100.0%100.0%51,905100.0%100.0%+3,9370.0pp