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, 43.6% of households in Port Phillip (C) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 48.8% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Greater Melbourne (35.6%).
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
10,370
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
10,370
19.9%
+2.1pp
Mortgage
2021 count
12,344
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
12,344
23.7%
+2.9pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
25,417
% of total
48.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
25,417
48.8%
-0.4pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
2,433
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,433
4.7%
0.0pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
22,901
% of total
44.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22,901
44.0%
0.0pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
77
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
77
0.1%
-0.3pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
683
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
683
1.3%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,294
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
3,294
6.3%
-5.4pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+1,372
+2.1pp
Mortgage
+1,812
+2.9pp
Renting - Total
+520
-0.4pp
Renting - Social housing
+36
0.0pp
Renting - Private
+634
0.0pp
Renting - Not stated
-150
-0.3pp
Other tenure type
+428
+0.8pp
Not stated
-2,635
-5.4pp
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 | 10,370 | 19.9% | 28.7% | 8,998 | 17.8% | 29.0% | +1,372 | +2.1pp |
| Mortgage | 12,344 | 23.7% | 35.6% | 10,532 | 20.8% | 34.3% | +1,812 | +2.9pp |
| Renting - Total | 25,417 | 48.8% | 29.2% | 24,897 | 49.2% | 28.8% | +520 | -0.4pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 2,433 | 4.7% | 2.3% | 2,397 | 4.7% | 2.6% | +36 | 0.0pp |
| Renting - Private | 22,901 | 44.0% | 26.8% | 22,267 | 44.0% | 25.8% | +634 | 0.0pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 77 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 227 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -150 | -0.3pp |
| Other tenure type | 683 | 1.3% | 1.6% | 255 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +428 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 3,294 | 6.3% | 4.8% | 5,929 | 11.7% | 7.1% | -2,635 | -5.4pp |
| Total households | 52,106 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,601 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,505 | 0.0pp |