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, 46.2% of households in Port Phillip (C) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 51.4% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Greater Melbourne (37.1%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
Port Phillip (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for Port Phillip (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Phillip (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Fully owned
2021 count
10,230
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
10,230
21.0%
+1.3pp
Mortgage
2021 count
12,272
% of total
25.2%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
12,272
25.2%
+2.1pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
25,066
% of total
51.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
25,066
51.4%
-2.7pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
2,401
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,401
4.9%
-0.4pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
22,586
% of total
46.3%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
22,586
46.3%
-2.1pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
76
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
76
0.2%
-0.3pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
625
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
625
1.3%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
527
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
527
1.1%
-1.5pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+1,359
+1.3pp
Mortgage
+1,852
+2.1pp
Renting - Total
+655
-2.7pp
Renting - Social housing
+27
-0.4pp
Renting - Private
+769
-2.1pp
Renting - Not stated
-145
-0.3pp
Other tenure type
+391
+0.8pp
Not stated
-654
-1.5pp
Data table
Housing tenure for Port Phillip (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 | 10,230 | 21.0% | 29.7% | 8,871 | 19.7% | 30.4% | +1,359 | +1.3pp |
| Mortgage | 12,272 | 25.2% | 37.1% | 10,420 | 23.1% | 36.0% | +1,852 | +2.1pp |
| Renting - Total | 25,066 | 51.4% | 30.2% | 24,411 | 54.1% | 30.0% | +655 | -2.7pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 2,401 | 4.9% | 2.3% | 2,374 | 5.3% | 2.7% | +27 | -0.4pp |
| Renting - Private | 22,586 | 46.3% | 27.7% | 21,817 | 48.4% | 26.9% | +769 | -2.1pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 76 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 221 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -145 | -0.3pp |
| Other tenure type | 625 | 1.3% | 1.6% | 234 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +391 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 527 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 1,181 | 2.6% | 2.7% | -654 | -1.5pp |
| Total households | 48,731 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 45,110 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,621 | 0.0pp |