UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE 

NEWS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230 

Robert R. Callis For Release 10:00 AM EST, January 31, 2006 

Linda B. Cavanaugh CB06-06 

(301) 763-3199 

CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS ON RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND 

HOMEOWNERSHIP

National vacancy rates in the fourth quarter 2005 were 9.6 percent for rental housing and 2.0 percent 

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

Bureau said the rental vacancy rate was not different from the fourth quarter rate last year (10.0 percent) or the 

rate last quarter (9.9 percent). For homeowner vacancies, the current rate (2.0 percent) was higher than the 

rate a year ago (1.8 percent), but not different from the rate last quarter (1.9 percent). The homeownership 

rate (69.0 percent) for the current quarter was not different from the fourth quarter 2004 rate (69.2 percent) or 

the rate last quarter (68.8 percent). 

Table 1. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States: 1994 to 2005 (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 

 ↓ ↓

 2005.... 

 2004.... 

 2003.... 

 2002a

 .. 

 2002.... 

2001.... 

2000..... 

1999..... 

1998..... 

1997..... 

1996..... 

1995..... 

1994..... 

 10.1 

 10.4 

 9.4 

9.1 

9.1 

8.2 

7.9 

8.2 

7.7 

7.5 

7.9 

7.4 

7.5 

 9.8 

 10.2 

9.6 

8.4 

8.5 

8.3 

8.0 

8.1 

8.0 

7.9 

7.8 

7.7 

7.4 

 9.9 

 10.1 

9.9 

9.0 

9.1 

 8.4 

8.2 

8.2 

8.2 

7.9 

8.0 

7.7 

7.2 

 9.6 

 10.0 

 10.2 

9.3 

9.4 

8.8 

7.8 

7.9 

7.8 

7.7 

7.7 

7.7 

7.4 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.5 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.6 

1.5 

1.4 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.8 

1.5 

1.6 

1.7 

1.6 

1.5 

1.6 

1.4 

 1.9 

 1.7 

 1.9 

1.7 

1.7 

1.9 

1.6 

1.6 

1.7 

1.5 

1.7 

1.5 

1.4 

 2.0 

 1.8 

 1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.8 

1.6 

1.6 

1.8 

1.7 

1.7 

1.6 

1.6 

 aRevised in 2002 to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 

 NOTE: The estimates in this report are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from actual values because of 

 sampling variability or other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be 

 statistically significant. All comparative statements 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 noninstitutional population of the United States (homeownership rate). For an explanation of how the rates are calculated, 

 please see pages 10-11. 

 

 

 BUREAU OF 

 THE 

 CENSUS 
2

 For rental housing by area, the fourth quarter 2005 vacancy rates in central cities (9.4 percent), the suburbs 

(9.3 percent), and outside Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), 10.9 percent, were not different from each 

other respectively. (see NOTE below). 

 The homeowner vacancy rates by area for fourth quarter 2005 were highest in central cities (2.7 

percent), followed by outside CBSAs (2.1 percent), with the lowest rate being in the suburbs (1.7 percent). 

 Among regions, the rental vacancy rates for the current quarter were highest in the Midwest 

(12.3 percent) and the South (11.4 percent), although they were not different from each other. The lowest rates 

were in the West (7.0 percent) and the Northeast (6.7 percent), which were also not different from each other. 

Regional rates were lower than a year ago in the South, while the Northeast, the Midwest, and the West were 

not different from their respective rates last year. 

Comparisons of the regional homeowner vacancy rates for fourth quarter 2005 showed the highest rates 

in the Midwest (2.4 percent) and the South (2.2 percent), although they were not different from each other. 

Rates were lowest in the Northeast (1.6 percent) and West (1.7 percent), which were also not different from 

each other. When compared with fourth quarter 2004, the homeowner vacancy rate in the Northeast was higher, 

while other rates by region were not different from their respective rates a year ago. 

 Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates by Area and Region: Fourth Quarter 2004 and 2005 

(in percent) 

 Rental vacancy rates Homeowner vacancy rates 

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a

Area/Region 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2004 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2005

of 

2005 rate 

of 

difference 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2004 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2005 

of 

2005 rate 

of 

difference 

 

United States............. 

Inside Core-Based 

Statistical Areas........ 

 In central cities........ 

 Not in central 

 cities (suburbs)........ 

Outside Core-Based 

Statistical Areas........ 

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

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

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

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

10.0 

(NA) 

(NA) 

 

 (NA) 

(NA) 

 6.8 

 12.4 

 12.5 

 7.2 

9.6 

9.4 

9.4 

9.3 

 

10.9 

 6.7 

12.3 

 11.4 

 7.0 

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

1.6 

0.7 

0.9 

0.9 

0.8 

0.5 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

0.8 

1.0 

1.0 

0.9 

1.8 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

1.2 

2.2 

2.0 

1.5 

2.0 

2.0 

2.7 

1.7 

2.1 

1.6 

2.4 

2.2 

1.7 

0.1 

0.2 

0.3 

0.1 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.2 

0.2 

0.2 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

a

A 90-percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s reliability. The larger the confidence interval is, in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable 

the estimate. For more information, see page 10. (NA) Not Available. 

NOTE: Core-Based Statistical Area data for 2005 and later are not comparable to earlier data. Beginning in first quarter 2005, the Current Population Survey/Housing 

Vacancy Survey is using the new metropolitan and micropolitan statistical definitions that were announced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in June 

2003, and were based on the application of the 2000 standards to Census 2000 data. The OMB announced updates as of December 2003, based on application of the 

2000 standards to more recent Census Bureau estimates. The December 2003 definitions are available at: 

http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html. 
3

There were an estimated 124.5 million housing units in the United States in the fourth quarter 2005. 

Approximately 108.9 million housing units were occupied: 75.2 million by owners and 33.7 million by renters. 

Both the number of owner-occupied units and the number of renter-occupied units were higher than their 

respective estimates a year ago. Of the 15.6 million vacant housing units, 11.9 million were for year-round use. 

Approximately 3.6 million of the year-round vacant units were for rent, 1.6 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 2004 and 2005 

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

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a 

 

Type 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2004 

Fourth 

Quarter 

2005

of 2005 

estimate 

of

difference 

Percent of 

total 

(2005) 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

122,740 

107,546 

74,413 

33,133 

15,194 

11,675 

3,731 

1,375 

6,569 

3,519 

124,509

108,888

75,163

33,725

15,621

11,857

3,626

1,566

6,665

 3,764

(X)

325

629

535

350

343

169

95

260

223

(X) 

 

296 

430 

413 

310 

296 

190 

116 

229 

 192 

100

87

60

27

13

10

3

1

5

3

 aA 90-percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s reliability. The larger the confidence interval is, in relation to the 

 size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. For more information, see page 10. 

 (X) Not Applicable. Since the number of housing units is set equal to an independent national measure, there is no sampling

 error, and hence no confidence interval. 

 NOTE: Since first quarter 2003, the Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) estimates have been controlled to 

 independent housing unit counts. Doing so 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

The homeownership rate (69.0 percent) for the current quarter was not different from the fourth 

quarter 2004 rate (69.2 percent) or the rate last quarter (68.8 percent). 

Table 4. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2005 (in percent) 

 

Year Homeownership Ratesa

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓

2005................................ 

2004................................ 

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

2002b............................... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1993b

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

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

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

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

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

1989c......................................... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

69.1 

68.6 

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 

 68.6 

 69.2 

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 

68.8 

69.0 

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 

69.0 

69.2 

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 a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.3 percent. bRevised in 2002 to incorporate information collected in Census 2000, and in 1993 to reflect the results of the 1990 decennial census. 

 c

Revised to reflect edit changes implemented in 1990. 
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 seasonal variation, the current homeownership rate (68.9 percent) was not different from last year’s rate 

(69.1 percent) or the rate last quarter (68.7 percent). 

Table 4SA. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2005

 Seasonally Adjusted (in percent) 

 Year Homeownership Ratesa

 (Seasonally Adjusted) 

 First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓

2005................................. 

2004................................. 

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

2002b................................ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1993b

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

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

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

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

1989c

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

69.2 

68.7 

68.1

67.9 

 67.6 

 67.2 

66.8 

66.0

65.5 

65.2 

64.4 

64.0 

63.8 

64.1 

64.0 

64.1 

64.0

63.8 

63.9 

63.7 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.8 

65.6 

65.5 

 68.8 

 

 69.4

68.2 

67.7

67.8 

67.3 

66.7 

66.1 

65.8 

65.4 

64.8 

63.9 

64.0

 64.0 

64.1 

63.9 

63.9

63.8 

63.9 

63.8 

64.1 

64.6 

64.7 

64.9 

65.4 

65.6 

68.7 

68.9 

68.3 

67.9 

67.9 

67.5 

66.8 

66.6 

65.8 

65.4 

64.8 

63.9 

64.0

 64.1 

64.0 

63.8 

63.9

63.9 

64.1 

63.7 

63.8 

64.5 

64.6 

64.7 

65.4 

65.6 

68.9 

69.1 

68.5 

68.2 

67.9 

67.5 

66.9 

66.4

65.7 

65.4 

65.1 

 

64.1 

64.1

 64.3 

 64.1 

64.0 

63.7 

63.8 

64.1 

63.9 

63.6 

64.2 

64.5 

64.6 

65.3 

65.6 aStandard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.3 percent. 

 bRevised in 2002 to incorporate information collected in Census 2000, and in 1993 to reflect the results of the 1990 decennial census. 

 c

Revised to reflect edit changes implemented in 1990. 
6

The homeownership rate by region was highest in the Midwest (72.8 percent) during the fourth 

quarter 2005. The South (71.1 percent) ranked second, while the Northeast (65.4 percent) and the 

West (64.6 percent) were lowest, although they were not different from each other. In the Midwest, the 

homeownership rate was lower than the rate in fourth quarter 2004, while the rates for the other regions 

were not different from their respective rates last year. 

 Table 5. Homeownership Rates for the United States and Regions: 2001 to 2005 (in percent) 

 Homeownership Ratesa

 Year/Quarter 

United 

States Northeast Midwest South West 

2005 

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

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

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

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

2004 

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

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

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

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

2003 

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

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

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

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

2002b

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

69.0 

68.8 

68.6 

69.1 

69.2 

69.0 

69.2 

68.6 

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 

65.4 

65.1 

64.7 

65.4 

65.2 

64.4 

65.4 

65.1 

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 

72.8 

73.3 

73.4 

73.1 

73.7 

73.8 

74.2 

73.5 

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 

71.1 

70.6 

70.4 

71.1 

71.5 

71.0 

70.9 

70.3 

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 

64.6 

64.2 

63.8 

64.9 

63.9 

64.7 

64.5 

63.7 

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 a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by region generally are 0.5 percent. 

 bRevised to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 
7

For fourth quarter 2005, the homeownership rates by age of householder were highest for those 

age 55 to 64 and those 65 years and over (80.6 percent each). Ranked second were those age 45 to 54 years 

(76.7 percent), followed by the age category 35 to 44 years (69.7 percent) with the lowest rate for the 

under 35 years of age (43.1 percent) group. The rate for householders 55 to 64 years was lower than a year 

ago, while rates for the other age groups were not different from their corresponding rates last year. 

Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Age of Householder: 2001 to 2005 (in percent) 

 Year/Quarter Homeownership Ratesa

 United 

States 

Under 

35 years 

35 to 44 

years 

45 to 54 

years 

55 to 64 

years 

65 years 

and over 

2005 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter....... 

2004 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter........ 

2003 

Fourth Quarter..... 

Third Quarter...... 

Second Quarter.... 

First Quarter........ 

2002b

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....... 

69.0 

68.8 

68.6 

69.1 

69.2 

69.0 

69.2 

68.6 

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 

43.1 

43.0 

42.8 

43.3 

43.3 

43.1 

43.6 

42.3 

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 

69.7 

68.6 

68.7 

70.1 

70.0 

68.6 

69.4 

68.8 

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 

76.7 

76.7 

76.3 

76.5 

77.4 

77.4 

77.0 

77.0 

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 

80.6 

80.9 

81.3 

81.8 

81.6 

81.2 

82.4 

81.7 

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 

80.6 

80.6 

80.3 

80.8 

80.5 

81.8 

81.1 

80.7 

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 

 a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by age of householder generally are 0.5 percent. 

 bRevised to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 
8

For the racial categories shown below, the homeownership rate for non-Hispanic White householders 

reporting a single race (76.0 percent) was highest, while the All Other Races householders (60.1 percent) ranked 

second, and single-race Black householders (48.0 percent) had the lowest rate in the current quarter. The rate for 

single-race Black householders was lower than last year, while rates for non-Hispanic White single-race 

householders and All Other Races householders were not different from their respective rates last year. The rate for 

Hispanic householders (who can be of any race) at 50.0 percent was higher than a year ago. 

Table 7. Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 2002 to 2005 (in percent) 

Year/Quarter Homeownership Ratesa

 U.S. Non-Hispanic 

White alone 

Black 

Alone 

All 

Other 

Racesc

Hispanic 

(of any race) 

76.0 

75.7 

75.6 

76.0 

76.2 

76.1 

76.2 

75.5 

75.5 

75.7 

75.2 

75.0 

 

48.0 b

48.1 

 48.0

 48.8

 

49.1

48.4 

49.7 

49.3 

 49.4 

48.0 

47.3 

47.7 

60.1 

59.9 

58.0 

59.4 

58.9 

58.6 

58.7 

58.2 

56.6*

56.2*

55.3*

55.7 

NonHispanic 

White 

Black Other Racesd 

69.0 

68.8 

68.6 

69.1 

69.2 

69.0 

69.2 

68.6 

68.6 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

 

 

50.0 

49.1 

49.2 

49.7 

48.9 

48.7 

47.4 

47.3 

47.7 

46.1 

46.2 

46.7 

2005 

Fourth Quarter....... 

Third Quarter........ 

Second Quarter...... 

First Quarter......... 

2004 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter........ 

Second Quarter...... 

First Quarter......... 

2003 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter........ 

2002e 

Fourth Quarter...... 

Third Quarter....... 

Second Quarter..... 

First Quarter......... 

68.3 

68.0 

67.6 

67.8 

75.0 

74.9 

74.5 

74.6 

47.7 

47.3 

46.5 

48.2 

55.2 

54.0 

55.3 

53.5 

48.3 

47.1 

46.1 

46.4 

 *Revised 4/22/04. aStandard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by race and ethnicity of householder generally are 0.3 percent for non-Hispanic White 

(single race) householders, 0.6 percent for Black (single race) householders, 0.8 percent for All Other Races householders, and 0.6 percent for 

Hispanic householders. 

 bThe homeownership rate for fourth quarter 2005 for householders who reported Black whether or not they reported any other race was 

47.9 percent, compared with a rate of 48.0 for those who reported only Black. c Includes people who reported Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or American Indian or Alaska Native regardless of whether 

they reported any other race, as well as all other combinations of two or more races. 

 d

Includes people who reported Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or American Indian or Alaska Native. eRevised to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 

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 report more than one race, but small sample sizes preclude showing all race categories. The question on Hispanic 

 origin is asked separately, and is asked before the question on race. 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.html.
9

In fourth quarter 2005, the homeownership rate for households with family incomes greater than or 

equal to the median family income (84.3 percent) was not different from the rate a year ago, while the rate 

for those with family incomes less than the median family income (53.1 percent), was higher than the rate 

reported last year. 

Table 8. Homeownership Rates by Family Income: 2001 to 2005 (in percent) 

Homeownership Ratesa

 Year/Quarter United States 

Households with family 

income greater than or 

equal to the median 

family incomeb

Households with family 

income less than the 

median family income 

2005 

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

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

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

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

2004 

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

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

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

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

2003 

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

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

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

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

2002c

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

69.0 

68.8 

68.6 

69.1 

69.2 

69.0 

69.2 

68.6 

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 

84.3 

83.7 

84.0 

84.5 

84.6 

84.0 

83.9 

83.8 

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 

53.1 

52.8 

52.7 

53.0 

52.5 

52.7 

53.1 

51.5 

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 

 aStandard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by family income generally are 0.3 percent. bBased on families or primary individuals reporting income. cRevised to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 
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 sample estimate and its standard error enable one to construct a confidence interval. A confidence 

interval is a measure of an estimate’s reliability. The larger a confidence interval is in relation to the size of 

the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. For example, the standard error on the estimated rental vacancy 

rate of 9.6 percent is 0.3 percentage points. Then the 90-percent confidence interval is calculated as 

9.6 percent + (1.645 x 0.3), or 9.6 percent + 0.5, or from 9.1 percent to 10.1 percent. If all possible samples 

were surveyed under essentially the same general conditions and the same sample design, and an estimate 

calculated from each sample, then 90 percent of the estimates would fall within the 90 percent confidence 

interval, in this case, from 9.1 percent to 10.1 percent. 

 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 for the first quarter 2003. 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 are now asked to report one or more 

races. The question on Hispanic origin is asked separately, and is asked before the question on race. 

First stage factors for year-round vacant units have been corrected as of the second quarter 2004. 

Research has shown that this correction had no significant effect on the vacancy rates or homeownership rates. 

 The rental vacancy rate is the proportion of the rental inventory that is vacant for rent. In tables 1 and 2

 the rates are computed using the following formula. 

 

 ( ) % * 100























































 − +



















 −

+





















−

=

units for rent

Vacant year round

awaiting occupancy

units rented but

Vacant year round

units

occupied

Renter

units for rent

Vacant year round

Rental Vacancy Rate

 
11

The homeowner vacancy rate is the proportion of the homeowner inventory that is vacant for sale. In 

tables 1 and 2 the rates are computed using the following formula. 

( ) % * 100































































































 − +

−

+

−

=

units for sale only

Vacant year round

awaiting occupancy

units sold but

Vacant year round

units

occupied

Owner

units for sale only

Vacant year round

Homeowner Vacancy Rate

The homeownership rate is the proportion of households that is owner-occupied. It is computed by 

dividing the number of households that are occupied by owners by the total number of occupied households 

(tables 4, 4SA, and 5). 

( ) %  * 100



 



 = Total occupied housing units

Owner occupied housing units Homeownership Rate

For the homeownership rate for a specific characteristic (tables 6-8), use the owner and total number 

of units for that characteristic. For example, for the West region, 

( ) * 100

( )

( ) ( ) % 



 



 = Total occupied housing units West

Owner occupied housing units West Homeownership Rate West

The Housing Vacancy Survey uses a three-month average to produce housing vacancies. The fourth 

quarter 2005 is the first one to have three months (October, November, and December) of data available since 

Hurricane Katrina. 

 During this quarter, the Current Population Survey was conducted according to standard procedures. 

Efforts were made to contact households in all storm-affected areas. There were a few inaccessible housing 

units that were not interviewed. These units are not weighted as either occupied or vacant. 

 No units in Louisiana or Mississippi were classified as demolished or condemned. This was a slight 

departure from standard Current Population Survey procedure. In affected areas, all cases not interviewed this 

quarter will be revisited as originally scheduled in the following months to determine whether they are suitable 

for occupancy.