UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE 

NEWS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230 

Robert R. Callis For Release 10:00 AM EST, February 3, 2004 

Linda B. Cavanaugh CB04-07 

(301) 763-3199 

CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS ON RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND 

HOMEOWNERSHIP

National vacancy rates in the fourth quarter 2003 were 10.2 percent in rental housing and 1.8 percent 

in homeowner housing, the Department of Commerce=s Census Bureau announced today. The Census Bureau 

said that while the rental vacancy rate increased from the revised rate last year (9.3 percent), it was not 

different from last quarter’s rate (9.9 percent). For homeowner vacancies, the current rate (1.8 percent) is 

lower than the rate last quarter (1.9 percent), but not different from the rate a year ago (1.7 percent). 

Table 1. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States: 1990 to 2003 (in percent)

Rental vacancy rate Homeowner vacancy rate 

Year 

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓ ↓

 2003.... 

 2002r

... 

 2002.... 

2001.... 

2000..... 

1999..... 

1998..... 

1997..... 

1996..... 

1995..... 

1994..... 

1993r

.... 

 1993.....

1992..... 

1991..... 

1990..... 

 9.4 

9.1 

9.1 

8.2 

7.9 

8.2 

7.7 

7.5 

7.9 

7.4 

7.5 

7.8 

7.9 

7.4 

7.5 

7.5 

9.6 

8.4 

8.5 

8.3 

8.0 

8.1 

8.0 

7.9 

7.8 

7.7 

7.4 

7.6 

7.6 

7.7 

7.3 

7.0 

9.9 

9.0 

9.1 

 8.4 

8.2 

8.2 

8.2 

7.9 

8.0 

7.7 

7.2 

7.0 

7.1 

7.3 

7.6 

7.2 

 10.2 

9.3 

9.4 

8.8 

7.8 

7.9 

7.8 

7.7 

7.7 

7.7 

7.4 

6.9 

6.9 

7.1 

7.3 

7.2 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.5 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.6 

1.5 

1.4 

1.4 

1.4 

1.5 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.8 

1.5 

1.6 

1.7 

1.6 

1.5 

1.6 

1.4 

1.4 

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

 1.9 

1.7 

1.7 

1.9 

1.6 

1.6 

1.7 

1.5 

1.7 

1.5 

1.4 

1.4 

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

 1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.8 

1.6 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.6 

1.6 

1.4 

1.4 

1.5 

1.6 

1.7 

 rRevised, please see page 10 for additional information. 

 NOTE: The estimates in this report are based on responses from a sample of the population. As with all surveys, estimates may vary from the 

actual values because of sampling variation or other factors. All comparisons made in this report have undergone statistical testing and are 

significant at the 90-percent confidence level unless otherwise noted. The data in this report are from the monthly samples of the Housing Vacancy 

Survey, which is a supplement to the Current Population Survey. The populations represented (the population universe) are all housing units (vacancy 

rates) and the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States (homeownership rate).

 

 

 BUREAU OF 

 THE 

 CENSUS 
 For rental housing, the suburbs (9.7 percent) had the lowest vacancy rate, while rates outside metropolitan 

areas (MAs) (10.6 percent) and in central cities (10.4 percent) were not different from each other. The rental 

vacancy rates in central cities and in the suburbs were higher than their corresponding rates in revised fourth 

quarter 2002, but no change occurred outside MAs for the same time period. 

 Similarly, the homeowner vacancy rate was also lowest in the suburbs (1.6 percent) while rates outside 

MAs (2.1 percent) and in central cities (2.0 percent) were not different from each other. There were no 

significant changes in homeowner vacancy rates for areas from the respective rates a year ago. 

Among regions, the rates for rental vacancies ranked from lowest in the Northeast (6.9 percent) to 8.0 

percent in the West, followed by 11.3 percent in the Midwest and highest in the South (12.9 percent). In the 

Northeast, the Midwest, and the West, the respective rates were higher than a year ago, while those in the 

South were statistically unchanged during the period. 

The regional homeowner vacancy rates followed the same trend as renters, where they were lowest in 

the Northeast (1.1 percent) and highest in the South (2.2 percent). The Midwest (1.7 percent) and the West 

(1.6 percent) were not different from each other. During the past year, the homeowner vacancy rate increased 

in the South, while no changes occurred for the other regions. 

Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates by Area and Region: 

 Fourth Quarter 2002 and 2003 (in percent) 

Rental vacancy rates Homeowner vacancy rates 

Area /Region Fourth 

Quarter 

2002r

Fourth 

Quarter 

2003

Standard 

error on 

2003 

rate 

Standard 

error on 

difference 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2002r

Fourth 

Quarter 

2003 

Standard

error on 

2003 

rate 

Standard

error on 

difference 

 

United States....... 

 Inside MAs......... 

 In central cities.. 

 Not in central 

 cities (suburbs).. 

 Outside MAs..... 

 Northeast........... 

 Midwest............. 

 South................. 

 West.................. 

9.3 

9.1 

9.3 

8.9 

10.6 

5.6 

 10.2 

 12.6 

7.0 

10.2 

10.1 

10.4 

9.7 

10.6 

6.9 

11.3 

 12.9 

8.0 

0.2 

0.2 

0.3 

0.3 

0.5 

0.4 

0.4 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.4 

0.4 

0.7 

0.5 

0.6 

0.5 

0.4 

1.7 

1.6 

1.7 

1.5 

2.0 

1.0 

1.8 

1.9 

1.8 

1.8 

1.7 

2.0 

1.6 

2.1 

1.1 

1.7 

2.2 

1.6 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.2 

0.1 

0.2 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.2 r

Revised. 

 2 
3

 There were an estimated 121.4 million housing units in the United States in the fourth quarter 2003. 

Approximately 105.9 million housing units were occupied: 72.7 million by owners and 33.2 million by 

renters. The number of owner-occupied units increased from the revised fourth quarter 2002 estimate, while 

the number of renter-occupied units did not change. Of the 15.6 million vacant housing units, 11.8 million 

were for year-round use. Approximately 3.8 million of the year-round vacant units were for rent, 1.3 million 

were for sale only, and the remaining 6.7 million units were vacant for a variety of other reasons. 

 Table 3. Estimates of the Total Housing Inventory for the United States: 

 Fourth Quarter 2002 and 2003 

 (Estimates are in thousands and may not add to total, due to rounding) 

 Type 

Fourth 

 Quarter 

2002r

Fourth

 Quarter

2003

Standard

error on

2003

Estimate

Standard 

error on 

difference 

Percent of

total 

(2003)

 

 

All housing units............ 

 Occupied...................... 

 Owner........................ 

 Renter........................ 

 Vacant.......................... 

 Year-round................. 

 For rent................... 

 For sale only............ 

 Other....................... 

 Seasonal..................... 

119,875 

105,340 

71,903 

33,437 

14,535 

10,993 

3,466 

1,244 

6,283 

3,542 

121,415

105,858

72,650

33,208

15,557

11,807

3,809

1,331

6,667

 3,750

216

228

228

181

131

115

67

40

88

67

306 

322 

322 

256 

182 

161 

93 

56 

123 

93 

100

87

60

27

13

10

3

1

6

3

 rRevised. 

 NOTE: The Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) estimates are now controlled to independent housing 

 unit counts. This should make the CPS/HVS estimates of housing units more comparable to other Census Bureau housing surveys. 

 Please see page 10 for additional information.
4

 While the homeownership rate (68.6 percent) for the current quarter was higher than the 

revised fourth quarter 2002 rate (68.3 percent), it was not different from the rate last quarter (68.4 percent). 

Table 4. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2003

 (in percent) 

 Year Homeownership Rates1

 

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓

2003................................ 

2002r

............................... 

2002................................ 

2001................................ 

2000.......................................... 

1999.......................................... 

1998.......................................... 

1997.......................................... 

1996.......................................... 

1995.......................................... 

1994.......................................... 

1993r

......................................... 

1993.......................................... 

1992.......................................... 

1991.......................................... 

1990.......................................... 

1989r......................................... 

1989......................................... 

1988......................................... 

1987......................................... 

1986......................................... 

1985......................................... 

1984......................................... 

1983......................................... 

1982......................................... 

1981......................................... 

1980......................................... 

68.0 

67.8 

67.8 

67.5 

67.1 

66.7 

65.9 

65.4 

65.1 

64.2 

63.8 

63.7 

64.2 

64.0 

63.9 

64.0 

63.9 

63.9 

63.7 

63.8 

63.6 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.8 

65.6 

65.5 

 68.0 

67.6 

67.6 

67.7 

67.2 

66.6 

66.0 

 65.7 

65.4 

64.7 

63.8 

63.9 

64.4 

63.9 

63.9 

63.7 

63.8 

63.9 

63.7 

63.8 

63.8 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.9 

65.3 

65.5 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

68.1 

67.7 

67.0 

66.8 

66.0 

65.6 

65.0 

64.1 

64.2 

64.7 

64.3 

64.2 

64.0 

64.1 

64.0 

64.0 

64.2 

63.8 

63.9 

64.6 

64.8 

64.9 

65.6 

65.8 

68.6 

68.3 

68.3 

68.0 

67.5 

66.9 

66.4 

65.7 

65.4 

65.1 

64.2 

64.2 

64.6 

64.4 

64.2 

64.1 

63.8 

63.8 

63.8 

64.1 

63.9 

63.5 

64.1 

64.4 

64.5 

65.2 

65.5 1Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.2 percent. rRevised. 
5

Table 4SA shows the seasonally adjusted homeownership rates for the United States from 1980 

to the present. (Research has shown that seasonality for homeownership rates is present.) When adjusted for 

seasonality, the current homeownership rate becomes 68.5 percent, which is not different from the revised 2002 

fourth quarter seasonally adjusted rate (68.2 percent), or the seasonally adjusted rate last quarter (68.3 percent). 

Table 4SA. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2003

 Seasonally Adjusted (in percent) 

 Year 

Homeownership Rates2 (Seasonally Adjusted) 

 

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓

2003................................ 

2002r

................................ 

2002................................. 

2001................................ 

2000.......................................... 

1999.......................................... 

1998.......................................... 

1997.......................................... 

1996.......................................... 

1995.......................................... 

1994.......................................... 

1993r

......................................... 

1993.......................................... 

1992.......................................... 

1991.......................................... 

1990.......................................... 

1989r

......................................... 

1989......................................... 

1988......................................... 

1987......................................... 

1986......................................... 

1985......................................... 

1984......................................... 

1983......................................... 

1982......................................... 

1981......................................... 

1980......................................... 

68.1 

67.9 

(NA) 

67.6 

 67.2 

66.8 

66.0 

65.5 

65.2 

64.4 

64.0 

63.8 

(NA) 

64.1 

64.0 

64.1 

64.0 

(NA) 

63.8 

63.9 

63.7 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.8 

65.6 

65.5 

 68.2 

67.8 

(NA) 

r

67.9 

67.3 

66.7 

66.1 

65.8 

65.4 

64.8 

63.9 

64.0 

(NA) 

64.0 

64.1 

63.9 

63.9 

(NA) 

63.8 

63.9 

63.8 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.9 

65.4 

65.6 

r

68.3 

67.8 

(NA) 

67.9 

67.5 

66.8 

66.6 

65.8 

65.4 

64.8 

63.9 

64.0 

(NA) 

64.1 

64.0 

63.8 

63.9 

(NA) 

63.9 

64.1 

63.7 

63.8 

64.5 

64.6 

64.7 

65.4 

65.6 

68.5 

68.2 

(NA) 

r

67.9 

67.5 

66.9 

66.4 

65.7 

65.4 

65.1 

64.1 

64.1 

(NA) 

64.3 

 64.1 

64.0 

63.7 

(NA) 

63.8 

64.1 

63.9 

63.6 

64.2 

64.5 

64.6 

65.3 

65.6 2Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.2 percent. 

 (NA) Not Applicable; only the revised series for 1989, 1993, and 2002 were used in calculating the seasonality adjustment. rRevised.
6

During the fourth quarter 2003, the homeownership rate by region was highest in the Midwest 

(73.5 percent), while the South(70.5 percent) ranked second, the Northeast (64.7 percent) was third and the 

West (63.8 percent) had the lowest rate. The West increased from a year ago when it was at 62.5 percent, 

while the other regions did not change during the same period. 

Table 5. Homeownership Rates for the United States and Regions: 

 1999 to 2003 (in percent) 

 Homeownership Rates3

 Year/Quarter 

United 

States Northeast Midwest South West 

2003 

Fourth Quarter............ 

Third Quarter............. 

Second Quarter........... 

First Quarter.............. 

2002r

Fourth Quarter........... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter.......... 

First Quarter............. 

2002 

Fourth Quarter........... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter.......... 

First Quarter............. 

2001 

Fourth Quarter........... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter.......... 

First Quarter............. 

2000 

Fourth Quarter.............. 

Third Quarter................ 

Second Quarter............. 

First Quarter................. 

1999 

Fourth Quarter.............. 

Third Quarter................ 

Second Quarter............. 

First Quarter.................. 

68.6 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.0 

68.1 

67.7 

67.5 

 67.5 

67.7 

67.2 

67.1 

66.9 

67.0 

66.6 

66.7 

64.7 

64.4 

64.2 

64.2 

64.8 

64.6 

63.8 

63.8 

64.9 

64.7 

63.9 

63.9 

64.0 

64.1 

63.2 

63.6 

 63.2 

63.9 

63.4 

63.3 

63.2 

63.6 

62.8 

62.7 

73.5 

73.5 

72.8 

72.9 

73.3 

73.2 

72.8 

73.2 

73.3 

73.2 

72.8 

73.1 

73.5 

72.9 

72.7 

73.2 

 73.1 

72.9 

72.2 

72.2 

72.5 

72.1 

71.2 

71.2 

70.5 

70.0 

69.9 

69.9 

70.3 

69.5 

69.3 

69.8 

70.3 

69.5 

69.3 

69.9 

70.1 

70.1 

69.7 

69.3 

 69.8 

69.7 

69.2 

69.5 

69.1 

69.3 

68.9 

69.2 

63.8 

63.8 

63.2 

62.8 

62.5 

62.7 

62.4 

62.1 

62.6 

62.8 

62.4 

62.2 

62.3 

63.1 

62.9 

62.0 

 61.6 

62.2 

61.9 

61.3 

60.6 

60.8 

61.3 

61.0 

 3

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by region generally are 0.3 percent. 

 rRevised.
7

 For fourth quarter 2003, the homeownership rates by age of householder ranged from 42.7 percent for 

those under 35 years of age to 81.3 percent for those aged 55 to 64. The group aged 45 to 54, which increased 

from 76.4 percent to 77.2 percent, was the only category to change during the past year. 

. 

Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Age of Householder: 1999 to 2003 (in percent) 

 Year/Quarter Homeownership Rates4

 

United 

States 

Under 

35 years 

35 to 44 

years 

45 to 54 

years 

55 to 64 

years 

65 years 

and over 

2003 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter........ 

2002r

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter....... 

2002 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter....... 

2001 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter....... 

2000 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter........ 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

1999 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter........ 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

68.6 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.3 

68.0 

 67.6 

 67.8 

 68.0 

 68.1 

 67.7 

 67.5 

 

 67.5 

67.7 

67.2 

67.1 

66.9 

67.0 

66.6 

66.7 

42.7 

42.5 

41.9 

41.7 

 

42.0 

41.5 

40.8 

41.0 

42.0 

41.4 

40.8 

 41.0 

 42.2 

 41.6 

 40.8 

 40.4 

41.2 

41.1 

40.2 

40.5 

40.3 

40.1 

39.1 

39.4 

69.0 

68.8 

67.8 

67.8 

69.0 

68.6 

68.2 

68.6 

69.0 

68.6 

68.3 

68.6 

68.2 

68.6 

68.1 

68.1 

68.3 

68.4 

67.5 

67.3 

67.9 

67.4 

66.5 

67.0 

77.2 

76.5 

76.3 

76.5 

 

76.4 

76.4 

76.3 

76.0 

76.4 

76.4 

 76.3 

 76.0 

 76.2 

 77.1 

 77.2 

 76.5 

76.4 

76.8 

76.7 

76.0 

75.2 

76.3 

76.4 

76.2 

81.3 

81.1 

81.6 

81.4 

81.5 

81.3 

80.8 

80.9 

81.5 

81.3 

80.7 

80.8 

81.4 

81.6 

81.5 

80.8 

80.2 

80.1 

80.3 

80.8 

81.3 

80.7 

80.8 

81.1 

80.8 

80.7 

80.2 

80.2 

 

80.8 

80.4 

80.1 

80.9 

80.8 

80.4 

 80.1 

 80.9 

 80.7 

 80.3 

 79.7 

 80.7 

80.4 

80.7 

80.3 

80.1 

79.6 

80.8 

80.4 

79.8 

 4Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by age of householder generally are 0.4 percent 

 rRevised. 
8

The fourth quarter 2003 homeownership rates, when tabulated by race and ethnicity, were 75.5 percent 

for non-Hispanic White (single race) householders, 49.4 percent for those who indicated that they were Black 

(and no other race), and 56.8 percent for householders who were of any of the other races (see note below). The 

homeownership rate for Hispanic or Latino householders, who can be of any race, was 47.7 percent. 

Table 7. Homeownership Rates by Race5

 and Ethnicity of Householder: 2001 to 2003 (in percent) 

Year/Quarter Homeownership Rates6

 U.S. NonHispanic 

White alone 

Black 

Alone7 

All 

Other 

Races8

Hispanic 

or 

Latino 

(of any race) 

68.6 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

 

75.5 

75.7 

75.2 

75.0 

49.4 

48.0 

47.3 

47.7 

56.6*

56.2*

55.3*

55.7 

47.7 

46.1 

46.2 

46.7 

NonHispanic 

White 

Black Other Races 

 

2003 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter........ 

2002r 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

2002 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

2001 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.0 

68.1 

67.7 

67.5 

75.0 

74.9 

74.5 

74.6 

74.8 

74.6 

74.2 

74.3 

74.4 

74.6 

74.1 

74.0 

47.7 

47.3 

46.5 

48.2 

47.5 

47.1 

46.3 

48.0 

48.1 

47.5 

47.9 

47.5 

55.2 

54.0 

55.3 

53.5 

55.4 

54.1 

55.4 

53.7 

53.2 

54.4 

55.2 

53.9 

48.3 

47.1 

46.1 

46.4 

49.5 

48.3 

47.2 

47.6 

48.8 

48.1 

46.1 

46.1 

 5

For further information on each major race group and the Two or more races populations, see reports from the Census 2000 Brief series (C2KBR/01), 

available on the Census 2000 Web site at http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs.htm 6Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by race and ethnicity of householder generally are 0.2 percent for non-Hispanic White (single 

race) householders, 0.5 percent for Black (single race) householders, 1.0 percent for All other race householders, and 0.6 percent for Hispanic 

householders. 

 7The homeownership rate for fourth quarter 2003 for householders who reported the single race of Black or Black in a combination of races was 

49.2 percent, compared with a rate of 49.4 percent for those who reported Black as a single race. 8Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native (only one race reported) and Two or more races. 

 r

Revised. *Revised (April 22, 2004)

 NOTE: Beginning in 2003, the question on race on the CPS was modified to comply with the revised standards for federal statistical agencies. 

Respondents may now select more than one race, but small sample sizes preclude showing all race categories. The question on Hispanic or Latino origin 

is asked separately, and is asked before the question on race. 

 
9

 For fourth quarter 2003, the homeownership rates for households with family incomes greater than or 

equal to the median family income (83.6 percent) and for those with incomes less than the median (52.1 percent) 

were not statistically different from their respective rates a year ago. 

Table 8. Homeownership Rates by Family Income: 1999 to 2003 (in percent) 

Homeownership Rates9

 Year/Quarter United States 

Households with family 

income greater than or 

equal to the median 

family income10

Households with family 

income less than the 

median family income 

2003 

Fourth Quarter........... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter......... 

First Quarter............ 

2002r

Fourth Quarter.......... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter.......... 

First Quarter............. 

2002 

Fourth Quarter.......... 

Third Quarter............ 

Second Quarter......... 

First Quarter............ 

2001 

Fourth Quarter......... 

Third Quarter........... 

Second Quarter......... 

First Quarter............ 

2000 

Fourth Quarter............. 

Third Quarter............... 

Second Quarter............ 

First Quarter................ 

1999 

Fourth Quarter............. 

Third Quarter............... 

Second Quarter............ 

First Quarter................ 

 68.6 

68.4 

 68.0 

68.0 

 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

68.0 

68.1 

67.7 

67.5 

67.5 

67.7 

67.2 

67.1 

66.9 

67.0 

66.6 

66.7 

83.6 

83.7 

83.6 

83.3 

 

83.2 

83.0 

82.2 

82.0 

83.3 

 83.0 

 82.3 

 82.1 

82.2 

82.2 

82.0 

81.7 

81.6 

81.7 

81.8 

81.4 

81.6 

81.7 

81.5 

81.1 

52.1 

52.1 

51.6 

51.3 

52.4 

51.9 

51.5 

52.4 

52.4 

51.9 

51.5 

52.3 

53.0 

52.6 

51.7 

51.6 

51.8 

52.2 

50.8 

51.4 

51.2 

51.4 

50.8 

51.2 

 9Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by family income generally are 0.2 percent. 10Based on families or primary individuals reporting income. rRevised. 
10

Note: This press release, along with more detailed data, is available on the Internet. Our Internet address 

is: www.census.gov/hhes/www/hvs.html

The estimates in this release are based on a sample survey and therefore are subject to both sampling 

and non-sampling error. Sampling error is a result of not surveying the entire population. Non-sampling error 

occurs because accurate information cannot always be obtained. The standard errors provided in the tables are 

primarily measures of sampling error. 

Standard errors are used to: 1) measure the accuracy of estimates from a sample survey, and 2) draw 

inferences from the survey data. For example, the standard error on the estimated rental vacancy rate of 

10.2 percent is 0.2 percentage points. Consequently, the 90-percent confidence interval as shown by these data is 

from 9.9 percent to 10.5 percent; i.e., the interval 10.2 + (1.6 x 0.2) percentage points. Thus, one can say with 

90-percent confidence that, were it feasible to draw all possible samples, the average rental vacancy rate would 

be included in this confidence interval. Statements about differences are made only when the 90-percent 

confidence interval indicates that a statistical difference exists. 

 Beginning with first quarter 2003, population controls that reflect the results of Census 2000 are 

used in the CPS/HVS estimation process. As a final additional step in the process, the estimates are 

controlled to independent housing counts used for the first time in order to produce a more accurate estimate of 

housing units. This new procedure should make the CPS/HVS estimates of housing units more consistent with 

other Census Bureau housing surveys. The new housing controls affect the estimate of vacant units in the 

sense that the estimates of total occupied and vacant units sum to the new control total. Vacancy rates and

homeownership rates are not affected by this change. 

The CPS/HVS also began computing first-stage factors (used for weighting purposes) based on 

year-round and seasonal counts of housing units from Census 2000. From 1980 to 2002, the CPS/HVS 

first-stage factors were based on year-round estimates only. The effect on the data is slight and the change should 

improve the counts of year-round and seasonal units. For more information on the effects of these changes, please 

see Source and Accuracy Statement at www.census.gov/hhes/www/hvs.html. 

The question on race on the CPS was modified beginning in the first quarter 2003 to comply with new 

standards for federal statistical agencies. Respondents may now select more than one race. The question on 

Hispanic or Latino origin is asked separately, and is asked before the question on race.