The U.S. homeownership rate has yet to fully recover almost 20 years after a housing bubble imploded and nearly took down the global financial system, according to a Social Explorer analysis of recently released Census data.
The 2020–24 American Community Survey (ACS), released in February, found that the homeownership rate in the USA stood at 65.1 percent – meaning 65.1 percent of U.S. housing units were occupied by their owners. Although the figure marked a significant improvement from the 2016 rate of 63.6 percent, the current U.S. homeownership rate remains about 1.7 percent below the 66.9 percent recorded in 2009, the first full year of detailed ACS data.
Historical data also show that the latest homeownership rate in the USA exceeded the 1970 rate of 62.9 percent, generally considered a near-high-water mark for the American middle class.
Even so, today's homeownership rate USA figures show that ownership is still less prevalent than it was in 2000, when 66.2 percent of homes were owner-occupied.
Where Has the U.S. Homeownership Rate Fallen Most?
The homeownership rate in the USA has fallen most sharply since 2009 in a trio of high-cost areas:
- The District of Columbia (−3.6 percent, down from 45.1 percent)
- New Jersey (−3.3 percent, down from 67.1 percent)
- Connecticut (−3.0 percent, down from 69.5 percent)
Overall, the national homeownership rate in the USA dropped 1.7 percent between 2009 and 2024.
Where Has the U.S. Homeownership Rate Grown?
The largest gains in the homeownership rate across the USA were concentrated in smaller-population states: Hawaii (+4.9 percent, to 63.0 percent), Alaska (+3.1 percent, to 66.8 percent), and Wyoming (+1.9 percent, to 71.8 percent) led the nation.
Sunbelt States Still Struggling With Homeownership
A trio of fast-growing Sunbelt states that suffered an enormous wave of foreclosures following the housing bubble collapse have yet to recover their pre-crisis homeownership rates:
- Texas: The homeownership rate stands at 62.6 percent in 2024, a 2.1 percent decline from the 2009 rate of 64.7 percent.
- Florida: The homeownership rate has also dropped 2.1 percent, from 69.7 percent to 67.6 percent.
- Arizona: The rate fell from 68.3 percent to 67.4 percent, a 0.9 percent decrease.
Highest and Lowest Homeownership Rates in the USA
The highest homeownership rates in the USA in 2024 were found in West Virginia (74.9 percent), Maine (74.3 percent), and Michigan (73.2 percent). The lowest rates were reported in the District of Columbia (41.5 percent), New York (54.3 percent), and California (55.9 percent).
Explore U.S. Homeownership Data for Yourself
Curious about the homeownership rate in your state, county, or city? Social Explorer makes it easy to visualize and analyze demographic and housing trends across the USA – no data expertise required. Sign up for a free trial today and get instant access to the full American Community Survey dataset, decennial Census data going back to 1790, and intuitive mapping tools that turn complex numbers into clear, actionable insights.
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