Types of dwellings in Singleton
In mid-2001, Singleton had 7,661 private dwellings, an increase of 471 since 1996. Some 674 dwellings were vacant, giving a vacancy rate of 8.8% of dwellings, similar to NSW's 8.9%. Lower vacancy rates at the mid-winter census were more common in stable communities and in winter holiday places.
The most common kind of dwellings in Singleton was separate houses, of which there were some 6,169 in 2001 (88% of Singleton's dwellings; 70% for NSW). Of other types of dwellings, there were 332 walk-up flats/units and 293 townhouses or semi's
Singleton had an increase of 299 dwellings over 1996–2001. The most commonly-built types of dwelling over these five years were separate houses, with 427 more since 1996. The number of walk-up flats/units rose by 155. The number of units in 4+ storey buildings was little changed. The number of townhouses or semi's decreased by 124.
Among the less common types of occupied dwellings, Singleton had 114 caravans, cabins or boats (down by 22 since 1996) with 16 flats on shops or offices (down by 11).
Types of dwellings Sing'n in 2001 change since 1996 % of dwellings variation from NSW
Sing'n NSW
separate houses 6,169 up 427 or 7% 88% 70% 18% higher
townhouses or semi's 293 down 124 or 30% 4% 9% 5% lower
walk-up flats/units 332 up 155 or 88% 5% 12% 7% lower
units in 4+ storey buildings - 5% 5% lower
all other 193 down 159 or 45% 2.8% 2.9% 0% lower
"granny" flats on houses 7 down 19 or 73% 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% lower
caravans, cabins or boats 114 down 22 or 16% 1.6% 1.1% 0.5% higher
shacks or outdoor spots 12 up 3 or 33% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% higher
flats on shops or offices 16 down 11 or 41% 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% lower
not stated 44 down 110 or 71% 0.6% 0.8% 0.2% lower
All occupied dwellings 6,987 up 299 or 4% 100% 100%  
Unoccupied dwellings 674 up 172 or 34% 8.8% 8.9% 0% lower
All private dwellings 7,661 up 471 or 7%      
Walk-up flats are 1-3 storeys. Percentages that are notably higher than NSW's are shown bold on light green; lower ones bold on darker orange.
Dwelling occupancy in Singleton
On average, 2.78 people were counted in each occupied dwelling in Singleton in 2001, which was higher than NSW's average occupancy rate of 2.62.
From 1996 to 2001, Singleton's average occupancy rate fell by 0.07 people per dwelling, or 3%. This was because the population living in private dwellings increased by 2% while the number of occupied private dwellings rose by 4%. By comparison, NSW's average occupancy decreased by 0.05. If the 1996–2001 trend continued, Singleton's average occupancy rate would reach about 2.73 by early 2005.
Among separate houses, the average occupancy was 2.92 people per house, a decrease of 0.09 since 1996. This occupancy rate was similar to NSW's rate of 2.88. The average occupancy of semis and townhouses was 1.85 persons, up by 0.1 since 1996 and 18% lower than NSW's.
Singleton's occupancy rate for walk-up flats/units was 1.65, down 0.17 since 1996 and 0.23 lower than in NSW.
Dwelling occupancy in Singleton Singleton 2001 NSW occupancy relative to NSW
dwellings people people/ dwelling change since 1996 people/ dwelling change since 1996
separate houses 6,169 17,986 2.92 down 0.09 2.88 down 0.05 1% higher
townhouses or semi's 293 541 1.85 up 0.11 2.24 down 0.04 18% lower
walk-up flats/units 332 547 1.65 down 0.17 1.87 down 0.02 12% lower
units in 4+ storey buildings   1.87 up 0.02 -
"granny" flats on houses 7 13 1.86 up 0.55 1.77 up 0.02 5% higher
caravan-cabin-houseboat/s 114 189 1.66 up 0.07 1.66 down 0.06 0% higher
flats on shops / offices 16 39 2.44 up 0.47 2.35 down 0.07 4% higher
Not stated or other type 56 137 2.45 down 0.52 2.11 down 0.35 16% higher
all occupied private dwgs 6,987 19,452 2.78 down 0.07 2.62 down 0.05 6% higher
non-private dwellings eg hotels, institutions 879 NB: population total has rounding errors. Overseas visitors excluded. Occupancy rates that are high compared with NSW are shown bold on light green; lower ones are shown bold on darker orange.
total population   20,331
Owning and renting in Singleton
In Singleton, it is most common for dwellings to be fully owned, with 2,710 dwellings or 39% of the occupied dwelling stock in this tenure in 2001. The remaining dwellings were being purchased (28%), private rental (19%) or public housing (5.4%). Singleton's similar proportion of dwellings which were fully owned, relative to NSW, indicates this community has similar proportions of longer-term or wealthier residents.
Of the detached houses in Singleton, 72% were owner-occupied (either fully owned or being purchased), compared with 19% of the units or flats. Conversely, 68% of the units and flats were rented, either privately or through public housing, while 20% of detached houses were rented, as were 66% of the semis and townhouses.
The proportion of dwellings which were rented privately was similar to that of NSW (22%), indicating Singleton may have similar population turnover to NSW. The share of dwellings in public housing was 5.4%, which was 10% larger than NSW's proportion.
Type of housing tenure Sing'n proportion of dwellings in each tenure share relative to NSW change in no. since 1996
dwellings houses semis flats Sing'n NSW
fully owned 2,710 41% 17% 14% 39% 41% 6% smaller up 10%
being purchased 1,945 30% 7% 5% 28% 23% 19% larger up 11%
public housing 376 5% 3% 10% 5% 5% 10% larger down 7%
private rental 1,354 15% 63% 57% 19% 22% 13% smaller down 6%
other / not stated 605 8% 10% 13% 9% 8% 3% larger up 31%
All dwellings 6,990 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%   up 9%
Dwelling proportions that are high compared with NSW, or which grew fastest, are shown bold on light green; lower and falling proportions are shown bold on darker orange.
The cost of housing in Singleton
The average mortgage payment in Singleton in 2001 was about $1,130 a month (or $263 a week), 11% lower than NSW's average of $1,280 a month ($297 a week). Most commonly, the mortgage payment was in the band $1,000–$1,399 a month.
Among private renters, the average rent was about $159 a week (or $690 a month), $72 or 31% under NSW's average rent of about $232 a week. The most common rental range was under $150 a week, paid by 47% of tenants.
monthly mortgage payments buyers private renters public renters weekly rent payments
Sing'n NSW Sing'n NSW Sing'n NSW
average >> $1,131 /mth $1,276 /mth $159 /wk $232 /wk $84 /wk $86 /wk << average
under $600 a month 14% 16% 47% 26% 82% 81% under $150 a week
$600–$799 a month 15% 13% 36% 24% 13% 8% $150–$199 a week
$800–$999 a month 20% 14% 8% 17%  nil 2% $200–$249 a week
$1,000–$1,399 a month 27% 23% 4% 18%  nil 1% $250–$349 a week
$1,400–$1,999 a month 13% 16% 1% 9%  nil 0% $350–$499 a week
$2,000+ a month 7% 13% 1% 4%  nil 1% $500 a week or more
not stated 5% 5% 3% 3% 5% 7% not stated
total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% total
Notably higher proportions than NSW are shown bold on light green; lower proportions bold on darker orange. Averages were calculated by multiplying the number in each mortgage or rent range by the mid-point of the range, using $3,000 as the average for top mortgage range and $800 for the top rent range.