FIGURES have revealed almost 80 per cent of residents in Maldon own the home they live in.

Office for National Statistics data estimates that 79.5 per cent of households in Maldon were owners-occupiers in 2019 – the latest available figures.

It also showed more homeowners living mortgage-free with 44.1 per cent in 2019, compared to 41.2 per cent seven years before.

The proportion of households living in privately rented accommodation in Maldon has risen from 10.3 per cent in 2012 to 10.8 per cent.

Across England, the average percentage of homeowners is 66 per cent.

The Ministry of Housing said more than 243,000 homes were delivered last year – the highest number in more than 30 years.

A Government spokesman said: "We are delivering the homes our communities need and helping many more people get the keys to their own home through our Government-backed schemes including Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and our new 95 per cent mortgage guarantee scheme.

"We are investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over the next five years to help councils, housing associations and others deliver new homes."