Census demography dashboard commentary: household size and occupancy ratings

This commentary is from the household size and occupancy ratings page of the Census demography dashboard. Select an area below to view the commentary.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Household size

For Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a whole, the proportion of households with 1 (+0.6 percentage points) resident and with 3 (+0.3 percentage points) residents has increased slightly between Census 2011 and Census 2021. The proportion of larger sized households, those with 7 or more residents, has also increased slightly but this is due to increases focused in the more urban local authorities of Cambridge City and Peterborough. (Some of this is likely to be due to definitional changes of households and communal establishments between the two censuses). The proportion of total households with 2 to 4 residents has fallen slightly.

Wards with the highest proportion of single person households include those within Cambridge with a high number of students, including Market (42.0% of total households), Petersfield (37.3%), West Chesterton (35.8%), and Castle (35.8%). Some of the market town wards also have a higher proportion of single person households, including Ely East (38.1%), March East (35.4%), Huntingdon North (34.7%). St Neots East (19.2%) and Cambourne (19.5%) have the lowest proportion of single person households.

The proportion of 2 person households ranges between 44.9% of total households in Doddington and Wimblington and 25.7% of total households in Cambourne. Generally, 2 person households account for a higher proportion of the total in the more rural wards, and for a lesser proportion of total households in urban and market town wards.

The proportion of households with 3 people ranges between 22.8% of total households in Hargate and Hempsted and 11.4% in Market ward.
The proportion of households with 4 people ranges between 25.2% of the total in Cambourne, to 8.0% in Ely East.

Many of the urban wards of Peterborough have the highest proportions of larger households with 5 to 7 residents. Park has the highest proportion of these households at 18.5% of total households, closely followed by North (17.2%). Central (13.5%), Ravensthorpe (13.3%) and Dogsthorpe (12.4%) have relatively high proportions of such households too.

For most wards, households with 8 or more residents account for 0% to less than 1% of total households. The highest proportions of these households are found in the urban wards of Cambridge and Peterborough, ranging between 3.7% of total households in Queens Edith to 1% in Castle.

Occupancy rating

The proportion of over-occupied households (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 15.3% in North ward, Peterborough and 0.5% in Alconbury ward, Huntingdonshire. Proportions of over-occupied households are much lower in the more rural districts of East Cambridgeshire (less than 3% across all wards) and South Cambridgeshire (2.1% or less across all wards). In Cambridge (7.9% to 1.4%), Fenland (7.6% to 1.3%) and Huntingdonshire (5.5% to 0.5%) the spread is slightly wider.

Proportions of over-occupied households tend to be towards the higher end of the range for market town wards, for example Wisbech in Fenland, although this is not always the case, such as Whittlesey in Fenland. Peterborough has the widest spread in the proportions of over-occupied households, ranging between 15.9% (North) and 1.0% (Glinton and Castor). Proportions are lower in the rural wards, and highest in some of the more central wards of Peterborough City.

The proportion of total households defined as having sufficient bedrooms ranges between 42.3% for Market ward, Cambridge, and 8.4% for Great Paxton ward, Huntingdonshire. Lower proportions tend to be seen in the more rural wards.

In the urban areas of Cambridge City and Peterborough City the proportion of households classed as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 76.3% in West ward, Peterborough, and 44.4% in Central ward, Peterborough. In the more rural districts, proportions tend to be much higher, ranging between 90.4% in Great Paxton ward, Huntingdonshire, and 52.8% in Wisbech North, Fenland. In the more rural districts, market town wards tend to have lower proportions of under-occupied households than the more rural wards.

Cambridgeshire

Household size

Wards with the highest proportion of single person households include those within Cambridge with a high number of students, including Market (42.0% of total households), Petersfield (37.3%), West Chesterton (35.8%), and Castle (35.8%). Some of the market town wards also have a higher proportion of single person households, including Ely East (38.1%), March East (35.4%), Huntingdon North (34.7%). St Neots East (19.2%) and Cambourne (19.5%) have the lowest proportion of single person households. Generally, the proportion of 1 person households of the total is lower in the more rural wards.

The proportion of 2 person households ranges between 44.9% of total households in Doddington and Wimblington and 25.7% of total households in Cambourne. Generally, 2 person households account for a higher proportion of the total in the more rural wards, and for a lesser proportion of total households in urban and market town wards.

The proportion of households with 3 people ranges between 21.6% of total households in St Neots East and 11.4% in Market ward. Some of the market town wards, such as Wisbech North (19.1%), Whittlesey Lattersey (18.5%) and Wisbech Walsoken & Waterlees (18.1%) are among those wards with higher proportions of 3 person households, as are those wards where there has been significant house-building in recent years, including Trumpington (19.4%), Longstanton (18.1%) and Brampton (17.9%). Some market town wards also have amongst the lowest proportion of total households with 3 residents, including Ely East (11.7%), March East (12.8%) and St Ives South (13.0%).

The proportion of households with 4 people ranges between 25.2% of the total in Cambourne, and 8.0% in Ely East. Wards in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire tend to have higher proportions of total households with 4 residents, for example in Huntingdonshire – St Neots East (20.5%), Great Paxton (16.2%) and The Stukeleys (16.2%). In South Cambridgeshire, Caldecote (19.8%), Longstanton (17.9%) and Bassingbourn (16.9%) all have higher proportions of households with 4 residents. Ely North (20.1%) and Cherry Hinton (16.4%) also have higher proportions of 4 person households. Wards with lower proportions of 4 person households can be found in some of the market town wards and urban wards of Cambridge, including Ely East, Market (8.1%), Whittlesey South (8.8%), March East (9.1%) and Castle (9.4%).

The longer established new communities in Cambourne (9.2%) and St Neots East (8.2%) have amongst the highest proportion of households with 5 to 6 residents. Wisbech North (8.8%) also has a relatively high proportion of households with 5 to 6 residents.

The proportion of households with 7 residents is relatively low for all wards, with Arbury (1.4%) and East Chesterton (1.2%) the only 2 wards where the proportion is above 1%.

For most wards households with 8 or more residents account for 0% to less than 1% of total households. The highest proportions of these households are found in the urban wards of Cambridge, ranging from 3.7% of total households in Queens Edith to 1% in Castle.

Occupancy rating

The proportion of over-occupied households (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 7.9% in King’s Hedges ward, Cambridge, and 0.5% in Alconbury ward, Huntingdonshire. Proportions of over-occupied households are much lower in the more rural districts of East Cambridgeshire (less than 3% across all wards) and South Cambridgeshire (2.1% or less across all wards). In Cambridge (7.9% to 1.4%), Fenland (7.6% to 1.3%) and Huntingdonshire (5.5% to 0.5%) the spread is slightly wider. Proportions of over-occupied households tend to be towards the higher end of the range for market town wards, for example Wisbech in Fenland, although this is not always the case, such as Whittlesey in Fenland.

The proportion of total households defined as having sufficient bedrooms ranges between 42.3% for Market ward, Cambridge, and 8.4% for Great Paxton ward, Huntingdonshire. Lower proportions tend to be seen in the more rural wards.

In the urban areas of Cambridge City the proportion of households classed as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 73.2% in Queen Edith’s ward, and 51.7% in King’s Hedges ward. In the more rural districts, proportions tend to be much higher, ranging between 90.4% in Great Paxton ward, Huntingdonshire, and 52.8% in Wisbech North, Fenland. In the more rural districts, market town wards tend to have lower proportions of under-occupied households than the more rural wards.

Peterborough

Household size

The proportion of total households with 1 person ranges between 32.1% in Central and 21.0% in Hargate and Hempsted. For the rural wards, proportions range between 25.2% in Eye, Thorney and Newborough and 22.1% in Glinton and Castor. Conversely, the rural wards have higher proportions of 2 person households, ranging between 42.5% of the total in Glinton and Castor and 37.0% in Wittering. For urban wards, the proportion ranges between 37.5% in Gunthorpe and 23.8% in North.

The proportion of households with 3 people ranges between 22.8% in Hargate and Hempsted and 14.4% in Central. For rural wards proportions range between 18.0% in Wittering and 14.5% in Barnack. The proportion of households with 3 people has increased between Census 2011 and Census 2021 for all wards except Wittering (-3.3%) and Werrington (-0.8%).

The proportion of households with 4 people is highest in Hampton Vale (21.2%) and lowest in Gunthorpe (10.5%). 15% or more of households have 4 people in the wards of Hargate and Hempsted (18.5%), Barnack (17.2%), Ravensthorpe (16%), Wittering (15.9%) and Stanground South (15.0%).

Notably, urban wards of Peterborough where there has been little new house building in recent years have amongst the highest proportions of larger households – with 5 or more residents. This includes Park (21.2%), North (19.2%), Ravensthorpe (14.5%), and Dogsthorpe (12.8%). Central ward also has a relatively high proportion of larger households (15.6%) but there has been some notable house building there.

Occupancy rating

The proportion of over-occupied households (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 15.3% in North and 1.0% in Glinton and Castor, In the 4 rural wards, the range is 1.0% in Glinton and Castor to 2.1% in Eye, Thorney and Newborough. In the urban wards the spread is much wider, between 15.3% in North, and 1.9% in Werrington. The wards of East, Park, and Central also have more than 10% of households which are defined as over occupied.

The proportion of total households defined as having sufficient bedrooms ranges between 41.8% in North and 10.1% in Glinton and Castor, with all 4 rural wards having a proportion below 20.0%, and all urban wards having a proportion above 20.0%.

The 4 rural wards have the highest proportions of households which are defined as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition), ranging between 88.9% in Glinton and Castor and 78.9% in Wittering. For urban wards, the proportion of total households which are defined as under-occupied ranges between 76.3% West and 44.4% in Central.

Cambridge

Household size

The proportion of total households with 1 resident ranges between 42.0% in Market and 25.3% in Queen Edith’s ward. Proportions tend to be higher in wards where there are higher numbers of students, with proportions in Petersfield, West Chesterton and Castle all between 35% and 40%. Proportions tend to be lower in wards towards the edge of Cambridge including Trumpington and Cherry Hinton where proportions are below 30%.

The proportion of 1 person households has fallen since Census 2011 in all wards except Petersfield, Romsey and West Chesterton.

The proportion of 2 person households ranges between a fairly narrow spread of 36.0% of total households in Newnham and 29.2% in Coleridge.

Wards towards the edge of Cambridge tend to have a higher proportion of households with 3 and 4 people, including Trumpington (34.7%), Cherry Hinton (33.8%), Queen Edith’s (31.6%) and Coleridge (31.2%). Market has the lowest proportion of 3 and 4 person households at 19.5%.

The proportion of total households with 5 and 6 residents ranges between 7.7% in King’s Hedges and 2.9% in Market. Lower proportions of these household sizes tend to be found in those wards where there are higher concentrations of university owned student accommodation.

The proportion of households with 7 residents is relatively low for all wards, with Arbury (1.4%) and East Chesterton (1.2%) the only 2 wards where the proportion is above 1%.

Households with 8 or more residents account for a small proportion of total households, ranging between 3.7% of total households in Queen’s Edith and 0.2% in Cherry Hinton and West Chesterton.

Occupancy rating

In Cambridge between 7.9% (King’s Hedges) and 1.4% (Castle) of households are defined as over-occupied (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition), while between and 42.3% (Market) and 22.3% (Queen Edith’s) are defined as having sufficient bedrooms. More than half of households are defined as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition) across all wards, ranging between 73.2% (Queen Edith’s) and 51.7% (King’s Hedges).

East Cambridgeshire

Household size

The proportion of total households with 1 resident ranges between 38.1% in Ely East and 21.9% in Downham Villages. The proportion of these households has increased across all wards between Census 2011 and Census 2021, by between +0.2% in Burwell to +4.7% in Soham South. These increases have been greatest for the market town wards of Ely and Soham.

The proportion of total households with 2 residents ranges between 40.6% in Woodditton and 34.1% in Ely North. Proportions are slightly higher in the more rural wards, including Woodditton, Sutton, Downham Villages, and tend to be lower in the market town wards of Ely and Soham.

The proportion of total households with 3 to 5 residents ranges between 41.4% in Ely North and 22.6% in Ely East. Amongst wards with higher proportions are Downham Villages (37.4%), Bottisham (36.4%) and Soham North (36.3%). Ely East has by far the lowest proportion of these households, with Woodditton at 31.1% the ward with the second lowest proportion of such households.

Numbers of households with 6 or more residents are small across all wards. The proportion of total households with 6 or more residents ranges between 2% in Littleport and 0.9% in Burwell, whilst the number of such households ranges between 15 in Downham Villages to 81 in Littleport.

Occupancy rating

Less than 3% of households are defined as over-occupied (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition), ranging between 0.8% in Burwell and 2.9% in Soham North.

Between 27.1% (Ely East) and 14.0% (Woodditton) of households have sufficient bedrooms, whilst between 85.0% (Downham Villages) and 70.6% (Ely East) are classed as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition). Proportions in market town wards tend to be at the lower end of this range, with the more rural wards having higher proportions of under-occupied households.

Fenland

Household size

The proportion of total households with 1 resident ranges between 35.4% in March East and 23.4% in Doddington and Wimblington, with the more rural wards all having proportions below 30%. Meanwhile, more rural wards tend to have a higher proportion of total households with 2 residents. The proportion of total households with 2 residents ranges between 44.9% in Doddington and Wimblington and 31.8% in Wisbech Riverside.

The proportion of total households with 3 to 6 residents ranges between 41.8% in Wisbech North and 25.3% in March East. The proportion of these households is below 30% in the 3 wards of Leverington and Wisbech Rural (28.6%), Whittlesey South (26.7%) and March East.

There are relatively few households with 7 or more residents. Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary, along with Chatteris North and Manea, are the 2 wards with the highest number of such households, at around 30 in each ward. The proportion of total households with 7 or more residents ranges between 1.1% in Wisbech North and 0.2% in March East.

Occupancy rating

Between 7.6% (Wisbech North) and 1.3% of households are classed as over-occupied (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition). Proportions are highest in the Wisbech wards, whilst wards in Whittlesey have amongst the lowest proportions.

The proportion of households classed as having sufficient bedrooms ranges between 39.5% (Wisbech North) and 15.1% (Doddington and Wimblington). Wisbech wards have amongst the highest proportions of these households, whilst the more rural wards tend to have proportions towards the lower end of the range.

The proportion of households classed as under-occupied ranges between 83.3% (Doddington and Wimblington) and 52.8% (Wisbech North), with proportions highest in the more rural wards and lowest in the Wisbech wards.

Huntingdonshire

Household size

The proportion of households with 1 resident ranges between 35.9% in St Ives South and 19.1% in St Neots East. The proportion of 1 person households of total households has increased in all wards between Census 2011 and Census 2021, with the exceptions of Fenstanton, Hemingford Grey and St Neots East. The proportion of total households with 2 residents ranges between 43.9% in Great Staughton and 28.9% in Huntingdon North.

The proportion of total households with 3 to 6 residents is between 30% and 40% for all wards, apart from St Ives South (28%), and The Stukeleys (41.3%), and St Neots East where half (50.3%) of all households have between 3 and 6 residents.

Households with 7 or more residents account for a small proportion – less than 1% – of all households across all wards. Huntingdon North has the highest number of these larger households (approaching 50), accounting for 0.9% of total households. The range is 0.9% in Huntingdon North to 0.1% in Holwell-cum-Needingworth and in Kimbolton.

Occupancy rating

The proportion of households classed as over-occupied (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 5.5% (Huntingdon North) and 0.5% (Alconbury). Most wards have proportions below 2%, with the market town wards of St Neots Eynesbury, Huntingdon East, St Ives South, St Ives East, St Neots East and Huntingdon North the only wards where proportions are 2.0% or more.

Between 37.2% (Huntingdon North) and 8.4% (Great Paxton) of households have sufficient bedrooms, with market town wards tending to have higher proportions and more rural wards lower proportions.

The proportion of households classed as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition) ranges between 90.4% (Great Paxton) and 57.3% (Huntingdon North). Huntingdon North is the only ward where less than 70% of households are classed as under-occupied.

South Cambridgeshire

Household size

There has been an increase in the proportion of total households with 1 resident between Census 2011 and Census 2021 in the majority of wards. The exceptions are Caldecote, Cambourne, Duxford, Longstanton, and Whittlesford. The proportion of total households with 1 resident ranges between 30.8% in Cottenham and 19.5% in Cambourne.

The proportion of total households with 2 residents is above 40% in The Mordens (44.3%), Balsham (43.3%), Foxton (41.3%), Barrington (40.8%) and Gamlingay (40.5%). Cambourne is the ward with the lowest proportion of total households with 2 residents at 25.7%. In all other wards the proportion of households with 2 residents accounts for between 38.9% (Over and Willingham) and 33.3% (Histon and Impington) of total households.

Cambourne is the ward with the highest proportion of households with between 3 and 6 residents, where these households account for 54.3% of the total. The proportion ranges between 44.7% (Caldecote) and 31.9% (Bar Hill). Households with between 3 and 6 residents account for 40% or more of total households in 4 wards – Bassingbourn (40,4%), Longstanton (41.9%), Caldecote and Cambourne.

There are few households with 7 or more residents, and they account for 0.5% or less of total households across all wards. The highest proportion at 0.5% are in Cambourne and Sawston, and the lowest proportions at 0.1% are in Swavesey and Foxton. The 2 wards of Cambourne and Histon and Impington have the highest number of such households, at around 20 each.

Occupancy rating

Just 2.1% (Cambourne and Histon and Impington) or less of households in wards across South Cambridgeshire are classed as over-occupied (those with fewer bedrooms than required according to the definition).

Between 25.1% (Histon and Impington) and 11.1% (Foxton) have sufficient bedrooms, whilst the majority of households across all wards are classed as under-occupied (those with more bedrooms than required according to the definition). The proportion of under-occupied households ranges between 87.9% (Foxton) and 72.8% (Histon and Impington).