Housing
Housing tenure
About this topic
Housing tenure shows whether households own their dwelling outright, are purchasing it, rent privately, rent from a social landlord, or occupy it under another arrangement. It describes how households hold or access housing, not the type of dwelling itself.
This topic is useful for analysing housing markets, affordability, stability, and the mix of owners and renters. It works best alongside dwelling type, household composition, and housing cost topics such as mortgage repayments and rent.
Interpretation notes
- Tenure type describes how the dwelling is occupied, including ownership, mortgage, rental, or other arrangements.
- It applies to occupied private dwellings and should not be confused with dwelling structure or housing cost measures.
Key insight
In 2021, 57.2% of households in Brisbane (C) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 37.3% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Greater Brisbane (34.8%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
Brisbane (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for Brisbane (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brisbane (C), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
Fully owned
2021 count
118,604
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
118,604
24.6%
-0.7pp
Mortgage
2021 count
157,120
% of total
32.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
157,120
32.6%
+0.9pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
179,874
% of total
37.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
179,874
37.3%
+1.9pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
16,261
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
16,261
3.4%
-0.5pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
162,780
% of total
33.8%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
162,780
33.8%
+2.7pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
827
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
827
0.2%
-0.2pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
7,475
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
7,475
1.6%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
19,014
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
19,014
3.9%
-2.9pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+10,598
-0.7pp
Mortgage
+21,889
+0.9pp
Renting - Total
+28,898
+1.9pp
Renting - Social housing
-175
-0.5pp
Renting - Private
+29,932
+2.7pp
Renting - Not stated
-869
-0.2pp
Other tenure type
+4,124
+0.8pp
Not stated
-10,080
-2.9pp
Data table
Housing tenure for Brisbane (C). Housing tenure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| Fully owned | 118,604 | 24.6% | 25.1% | 108,006 | 25.3% | 25.3% | +10,598 | -0.7pp |
| Mortgage | 157,120 | 32.6% | 34.8% | 135,231 | 31.7% | 34.0% | +21,889 | +0.9pp |
| Renting - Total | 179,874 | 37.3% | 34.0% | 150,976 | 35.4% | 33.1% | +28,898 | +1.9pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 16,261 | 3.4% | 3.1% | 16,436 | 3.9% | 3.6% | -175 | -0.5pp |
| Renting - Private | 162,780 | 33.8% | 30.7% | 132,848 | 31.1% | 29.0% | +29,932 | +2.7pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 827 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 1,696 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -869 | -0.2pp |
| Other tenure type | 7,475 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 3,351 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +4,124 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 19,014 | 3.9% | 4.7% | 29,094 | 6.8% | 6.9% | -10,080 | -2.9pp |
| Total households | 482,077 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 426,648 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +55,429 | 0.0pp |