Definition of a Household

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A “household” in the UK is defined as either a single person living alone or a group of people, related or unrelated, residing at the same address and sharing common living spaces such as the kitchen and living room. This definition is crucial for interpreting data from sources like the census and various industry reports.

Households are typically categorised into:

  • One-person households: Individuals living alone.
  • One-family households: Families, including couples (with or without children) or single parents with children.
  • Multi-person households: Unrelated adults sharing accommodation, multiple families cohabiting, or families living with unrelated individuals.

According to the 2021 Census for England and Wales:

  • There were 24.8 million households, an increase of over 1.4 million (6.1%) since 2011.
  • The average household size remained stable at approximately 2.4 people.
  • London had the highest proportion of large households, with 3.9% comprising six or more people.
  • The private rental sector accounted for 18% of households, up from 12% in 2001, while homeownership decreased from 69% to 64%.

These statistics highlight the evolving dynamics of household compositions and housing tenures in the UK.

Useful Links for Further Reading:

Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Families and Households in the UK: 2022: This report provides detailed insights into the number and types of families and households, offering a comprehensive overview of household compositions and trends.

ONS – Household Composition Variable: Census 2021: This resource explains the definitions and classifications used in the 2021 Census, aiding in understanding how household data is categorised.

UK Government – Population and Household Estimates, England and Wales: Census 2021: This publication offers detailed statistics on population and household numbers, essential for grasping demographic changes over time.

For more detailed insights into households, explore our Geodemographics data product which provides extensive Company Data on all UK registered companies.

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