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, 47.3% of households in Cairns City were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 48.6% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Cairns (R) (35.6%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
Cairns City - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Fully owned
2021 count
262
% of total
30.3%
Change from 2016
-12.6pp
262
30.3%
-12.6pp
Mortgage
2021 count
147
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-21.1pp
147
17.0%
-21.1pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
420
% of total
48.6%
Change from 2016
+24.8pp
420
48.6%
+24.8pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
36
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
36
4.2%
+4.2pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
378
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
+29.5pp
378
43.8%
+29.5pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
6
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
6
0.7%
+0.7pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
10
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
10
1.2%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
18
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
18
2.1%
+2.1pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+253
-12.6pp
Mortgage
+139
-21.1pp
Renting - Total
+415
+24.8pp
Renting - Social housing
+36
+4.2pp
Renting - Private
+375
+29.5pp
Renting - Not stated
+6
+0.7pp
Other tenure type
+10
+1.2pp
Not stated
+18
+2.1pp
Data table
Housing tenure for Cairns City. Housing tenure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Fully owned | 262 | 30.3% | 26.4% | 9 | 42.9% | 23.7% | +253 | -12.6pp |
| Mortgage | 147 | 17.0% | 35.6% | 8 | 38.1% | 33.5% | +139 | -21.1pp |
| Renting - Total | 420 | 48.6% | 35.0% | 5 | 23.8% | 38.9% | +415 | +24.8pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 36 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.4% | +36 | +4.2pp |
| Renting - Private | 378 | 43.8% | 30.7% | 3 | 14.3% | 34.0% | +375 | +29.5pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 6 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.7pp |
| Other tenure type | 10 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.7% | +10 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 18 | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.1% | +18 | +2.1pp |
| Total households | 864 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +843 | 0.0pp |