Sydney households and housing mix: smaller households meet a housing stock that is still 52% detached

Single- and two-person households grow in number

The Sydney Plan projects that Sydney's average household size will fall from 2.6 people in 2026 to 2.5 in 2046. The average changes by 0.1 people. Single-person households increase from 438,000 to 607,000, while two-person households increase from 466,000 to 616,000.

Couples with children also increase in number, from 669,000 to 805,000, even though their displayed share falls from 34% to 32%. Counts and shares can move in different directions when the total number of households grows.

Several household types grow as the average falls

Several household groups change at the same time, which moves the average from 2.6 to 2.5 people. The Sydney-wide projection provides regional direction. Local demand testing adds tenure, price, dwelling preference and bedroom needs for each council and site.

Sydney's 2026 housing stock remains majority detached

Figure 20 estimates that detached homes make up 52% of Sydney's 2026 stock. Low-rise attached homes make up 19%, mid-rise 13% and high-rise 16%. The regional results differ sharply. Western Sydney is 80% detached in the figure. Eastern Sydney (South) is 73% attached across the three attached categories.

Current housing form sets a different starting point in each region

A region with 80% detached housing starts from a different position than a region that is already mostly attached. That variation requires local evidence about existing stock, centres, transport, infrastructure and feasibility before a council chooses its housing mix.

Average household size is higher in western and outer councils

Appendix D reports 2026 average household size for each council. Liverpool and The Hills are highest at 3.1 people per household. Blacktown, Camden, Cumberland and Fairfield follow at 3.0. The City of Sydney is lowest at 1.9, and North Sydney is 2.0.

Council averages set context for a local housing-demand test

The map provides one LGA-wide average for each council. Use it as the starting point for a local test that combines centres, suburbs, household groups, housing markets, current stock and site feasibility.

Appendix D defines four profiles for councils to test locally

Appendix D describes four profile archetypes. Type A starts with a high detached share and limited medium-term change. Type B starts above 50% detached with more movement to mid- and high-rise housing. Type C has a more even attached mix. Type D describes higher-density areas with larger mid- and high-rise shares.

Councils must select and combine the profiles locally

Appendix D tells councils to determine which profile or combination of profiles fits their local evidence. The LGA map therefore keeps the profiles unassigned until councils add local evidence. The Type D headline and illustrated detached range differ, so profile selection should use the source ranges and local judgement rather than an automatic threshold.

Local evidence should determine the housing mix

Sydney is projected to add more small households, but couples with children also increase in number. Current housing stock remains majority detached and varies sharply by region. Average household size also varies by council.

The local planning question is what mix of homes can meet changing household needs in a place with a specific stock, centre pattern, transport network, infrastructure position and feasibility context. The Plan's profile framework helps councils compare those evidence layers. Council and site decisions then add local demand, planning, infrastructure and feasibility evidence.

Methodology, limitations and sources

How we built the comparison

Household change

We transcribed the 2026 and 2046 values displayed in Figure 6. We retained both counts and shares. The four displayed household categories are not exhaustive, so we recorded that limit with the values.

Current housing mix

We transcribed the four housing types for each programme area in Figure 20. We checked that every row totals 100%. These are 2026 stock estimates, not future mix targets.

LGA context and profiles

We recorded all 33 average household-size values from Appendix D and joined them to LGA 2025 boundaries by code. We also recorded the four profile ranges. Those profiles remain unassigned because the department does not publish an LGA-to-profile mapping.

Limitations

• The household categories displayed in Figure 6 are not exhaustive.
• Household projections do not determine tenure, price or dwelling preference.
• Figure 20 describes the 2026 stock estimate, not a future target mix.
• An LGA average hides variation within the council.
• The profile archetypes are guidance, not official LGA classifications.
• The Type D headline and illustrated detached range do not align exactly.
• The analysis does not assess parcel controls, feasibility, infrastructure or market demand.

Continue the analysis

The planning data analysis workflow shows how Plynth fixes the geography, source period, unit and comparison limits before using place evidence to test a planning question.