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, 42.9% of households in East Melbourne were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 50.3% were renting. The mortgage share was higher than Melbourne (C) (15%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
East Melbourne - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for East Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Fully owned
2021 count
679
% of total
26.1%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
679
26.1%
+2.3pp
Mortgage
2021 count
437
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
437
16.8%
+0.7pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
1,306
% of total
50.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,306
50.3%
+1.3pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
4
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
4
0.2%
-0.3pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
1,296
% of total
49.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,296
49.9%
+1.9pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
0
0.0%
-0.8pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
42
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
42
1.6%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
133
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
133
5.1%
-5.2pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+89
+2.3pp
Mortgage
+37
+0.7pp
Renting - Total
+91
+1.3pp
Renting - Social housing
-8
-0.3pp
Renting - Private
+105
+1.9pp
Renting - Not stated
-20
-0.8pp
Other tenure type
+26
+1.0pp
Not stated
-122
-5.2pp
Data table
Housing tenure for East Melbourne. Housing tenure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Fully owned | 679 | 26.1% | 12.8% | 590 | 23.8% | 12.7% | +89 | +2.3pp |
| Mortgage | 437 | 16.8% | 15.0% | 400 | 16.1% | 14.5% | +37 | +0.7pp |
| Renting - Total | 1,306 | 50.3% | 62.9% | 1,215 | 49.0% | 59.8% | +91 | +1.3pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 4 | 0.2% | 3.3% | 12 | 0.5% | 4.9% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Renting - Private | 1,296 | 49.9% | 59.5% | 1,191 | 48.0% | 54.2% | +105 | +1.9pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.8% | 0.6% | -20 | -0.8pp |
| Other tenure type | 42 | 1.6% | 1.9% | 16 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 133 | 5.1% | 7.4% | 255 | 10.3% | 12.2% | -122 | -5.2pp |
| Total households | 2,598 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,482 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +116 | 0.0pp |