HOME OWNERSHIP
Homeownership follows a predictable pattern, increasing steadily until peaking among the 65-74 age group before leveling off. Overall, home ownership rates have generally declined from 2000 to 2024, with the decline being most pronounced among the youngest American adults.
Education level influences homeownership timing even more than it does likelihood. Older Americans who graduated from high school, those with some college, and college graduates all show similar rates of homeownership, but college-educated individuals tend to become homeowners earlier, with less variability in rates after age 35.
Gender differences are minimal, though younger women are more likely to be homeowners than younger men, and older women are less likely to be homeowners than older men. Married individuals are noticeably more likely to own homes than unmarried individuals. Racial disparities are apparent, with White individuals showing the highest homeownership rates and the least age-related variability.
EXPLORE THE DATA
Definition:
Percent of individuals who own the home they live in or are in the process of fully owning it, and are either the household head or their partner/spouse.
Example:
People who live in a home but are still making a mortgage payment on it are categorized as owning their home. People who rent their current residence but own a house in which they do not live (i.e. are invested in real estate) are not categorized as owning their home.