Indicator
People living alone
Share of households that are a single person living alone.
Australia over time
- 2011: 24.3%
- 2016: 24.4%
- 2021: 25.6%
Explore on the map
See how living alone varies across Australia.
Highest areas
SA2 areas with the highest living alone (2021 Census).
Related indicators
Frequently asked questions
What is People living alone in Australia?
At the 2021 Census, People living alone across Australia was 25.6%. It is expressed as a percentage of the relevant group.
How is People living alone measured?
Share of households that are a single person living alone. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.
How does People living alone vary across Australia?
Across the 2,345 SA2 areas with data, People living alone ranges from 5.4% to 63.3%, with a typical (median) area at 25.1%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.
Can People living alone be compared across censuses?
Yes — People living alone is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has risen from 24.3% in 2011 to 25.6% in 2021.
Where can I see People living alone for my area?
Use the interactive map to compare People living alone down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). People living alone [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/indicator/share-lone-person