Households renting

At the 2021 Census, Households renting across Australia was 30.6%. The share of occupied homes that are rented rather than owned outright or with a mortgage.

Share of occupied private dwellings that are rented. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

A high renter share marks more mobile, often younger or lower-wealth communities, and signals exposure to rental-market shifts.

Across the 2,345 SA2 areas with data, Households renting ranges from 0.0% to 95.1%, with a typical (median) area at 26.8%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — Households renting is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has risen from 29.6% in 2011 to 30.6% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare Households renting down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.