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, 27.8% of households in Melbourne (C) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 62.9% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Greater Melbourne (35.6%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
Melbourne (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Fully owned
2021 count
9,865
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
9,865
12.8%
+0.1pp
Mortgage
2021 count
11,511
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
11,511
15.0%
+0.5pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
48,429
% of total
62.9%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
48,429
62.9%
+3.1pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
2,543
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,543
3.3%
-1.6pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
45,774
% of total
59.5%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
45,774
59.5%
+5.3pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
118
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
118
0.2%
-0.4pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
1,474
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,474
1.9%
+1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,682
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
5,682
7.4%
-4.8pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+1,519
+0.1pp
Mortgage
+1,963
+0.5pp
Renting - Total
+9,077
+3.1pp
Renting - Social housing
-709
-1.6pp
Renting - Private
+10,082
+5.3pp
Renting - Not stated
-279
-0.4pp
Other tenure type
+967
+1.1pp
Not stated
-2,360
-4.8pp
Data table
Housing tenure for Melbourne (C). Housing tenure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Fully owned | 9,865 | 12.8% | 28.7% | 8,346 | 12.7% | 29.0% | +1,519 | +0.1pp |
| Mortgage | 11,511 | 15.0% | 35.6% | 9,548 | 14.5% | 34.3% | +1,963 | +0.5pp |
| Renting - Total | 48,429 | 62.9% | 29.2% | 39,352 | 59.8% | 28.8% | +9,077 | +3.1pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 2,543 | 3.3% | 2.3% | 3,252 | 4.9% | 2.6% | -709 | -1.6pp |
| Renting - Private | 45,774 | 59.5% | 26.8% | 35,692 | 54.2% | 25.8% | +10,082 | +5.3pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 118 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 397 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -279 | -0.4pp |
| Other tenure type | 1,474 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 507 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +967 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 5,682 | 7.4% | 4.8% | 8,042 | 12.2% | 7.1% | -2,360 | -4.8pp |
| Total households | 76,969 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 65,795 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,174 | 0.0pp |