Fewer Aussies own their home outright

The 2016 Census shows fewer people own their home outright, while a growing number have been forced to rent.

The 2016 Census shows fewer people own their home outright, while a growing number are renters. (AAP)

The number of people paying off a mortgage has grown in the past 25 years despite rising house prices, but fewer own their property outright.

The 2016 Census shows 31 per cent of people had paid off their mortgage - down from 32.1 per cent in 2011 and 40 per cent in 1991 - while those paying off a mortgage held steady at around 35 per cent over recent surveys, but up from 27 per cent a quarter of a century ago.

However, there has been a shift towards renting, with nearly 31 per cent now paying a landlord, up from just under 30 per cent five years ago and 27 per cent in 1991.