UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE 

NEWS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230 

Robert R. Callis For Release 10:00 AM EST, April 28, 2006 

Linda B. Cavanaugh CB06-57 

(301) 763-3199 

CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS ON RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND 

HOMEOWNERSHIP

National vacancy rates in the first quarter 2006 were 9.5 (+ 0.4) percent for rental housing and 

2.1 (+ 0.1) percent for homeowner housing, the Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau announced today. 

The Census Bureau said the rental vacancy rate was lower than the first quarter rate last year (10.1 percent) 

but statistically unchanged from the rate last quarter (9.6 percent). For homeowner vacancies, the current rate 

was higher than a year ago (1.8 percent), and not statistically different from last quarter (2.0 percent). 

 The homeownership rate at 68.5 (+ 0.5) percent for the current quarter was lower than the first quarter 2005 

rate (69.1 percent) and also lower than the rate last quarter (69.0 percent). 

Table 1. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States: 1994 to 2006 (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 

↓ ↓ 

 2006.... 

 2005.... 

 2004.... 

 2003.... 

 2002a

 .. 

 2002.... 

2001.... 

2000..... 

1999..... 

1998..... 

1997..... 

1996..... 

1995..... 

1994..... 

 9.5 

 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 

2.1 

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 first quarter 2006 vacancy rate in the suburbs (8.7 percent) was lower than 

in central cities (10.0 percent) and outside Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSA’s), 10.4 percent. (The 10.0 and 10.4 percent 

were not statistically different from each other.) In the suburbs, the rental vacancy rate was lower than a year ago, while 

inside central cities and outside CBSA’s, there were no statistically measurable changes in their respective rates during the 

same time period. 

 Similarly, the homeowner vacancy rate in the suburbs (1.8 percent) was lower than in central cities (2.5 percent) 

and outside CBSA’s (2.2 percent). The 2.5 and 2.2 percent were not statistically different from each other. The 

homeowner vacancy rate was higher than a year ago inside CBSA’s, while in the suburbs and outside CBSA’s, there were 

no statistically measurable differences in their respective rates from those reported last year. 

 Among regions, the rental vacancy rate for the current quarter was highest in the Midwest (12.6 percent), followed 

by the South (10.9 percent). The lowest rates were in the Northeast (7.3 percent) and the West (6.7 percent), which were 

not statistically 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 statistically different from their respective rates last year. 

Comparisons of the regional homeowner vacancy rates for first quarter 2006 showed the highest rates in the 

Midwest (2.4 percent) and the South (2.3 percent), although they were not statistically different from each other. Rates 

were lowest in the Northeast (1.5 percent) and West (1.7 percent), which were also not statistically different from each 

other. When compared with first quarter 2005, the homeowner vacancy rates in the South and West were higher, while 

rates in the Northeast and Midwest were not statistically different from their respective rates a year ago. 

 Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates by Area and Region: First Quarter 2005 and 2006 

 (in percent) 

 Rental vacancy rates Homeowner vacancy rates 

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a

Area/Region 

First 

Quarter 

2005 

First 

Quarter 

2006

of 

2006 rate 

of 

difference 

First 

Quarter 

2005 

First 

Quarter 

2006 

of 

2006 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........................ 

10.1 

10.1 

10.4 

 

 9.7 

 9.7 

 7.2 

 12.2 

 12.2 

 7.5 

9.5 

9.4 

10.0 

8.7 

 

10.4 

 7.3 

12.6 

 10.9 

 6.7 

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

1.5 

0.7 

0.9 

0.8 

0.7 

0.5 

0.5 

0.6 

0.8 

1.6 

0.8 

1.0 

1.0 

0.9 

1.8 

1.8 

2.0 

1.7 

1.9 

1.8 

2.3 

1.9 

1.2 

2.1 

2.0 

2.5 

1.8 

2.2 

1.5 

2.4 

2.3 

1.7 

0.1 

0.2 

0.3 

0.2 

0.3 

0.2 

0.3 

0.2 

0.2 

0.2 

0.2 

0.3 

0.2 

0.3 

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. 

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 125.4 million housing units in the United States in the first quarter 2006. 

Approximately 109.3 million housing units were occupied: 74.9 million by owners and 34.4 million by renters. 

The number of owner-occupied units was not statistically different from a year ago, while the number of renteroccupied units was higher than estimated last year. Of the 16.1 million vacant housing units, 12.2 million were 

for year-round use. Approximately 3.7 million of the year-round vacant units were for rent, 1.6 million were for 

sale only, and the remaining 6.9 million units were vacant for a variety of other reasons. The number of vacant 

for sale units and vacant seasonal units were both higher than a year ago. 

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

 First Quarter 2005 and 2006 

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

90-Percent 

Confidence Interval ( + ) a 

 

Type 

First 

Quarter 

2005 

First 

Quarter 

2006

of 2006 

estimate 

of

difference 

Percent of 

total 

(2006) 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

123,341 

107,755 

74,488 

33,267 

15,586 

11,984 

3,765 

1,388 

6,831 

3,602 

125,373

109,289

74,883

34,406

16,084

12,176

3,685

1,580

6,911

 3,908

(X)

320

630

539

354

347

170

95

265

227

(X) 

 

293 

431 

414 

313 

300 

191 

117 

234 

 195 

100

87

60

27

13

10

3

1

6

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 (68.5 percent) for the current quarter was lower than the first 

quarter 2005 rate (69.1 percent) and also lower than the rate last quarter (69.0 percent). 

Table 4. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2006 (in percent) 

 

Year Homeownership Ratesa

First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

 ↓ 

2006................................ 

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

68.5 

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 (68.6 percent) was lower than last year’s rate 

(69.2 percent), but it was not statistically different from the rate last quarter (68.8 percent). 

Table 4SA. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1980 to 2006

 Seasonally Adjusted (in percent) 

 Year Homeownership Ratesa

 (Seasonally Adjusted) 

 First 

Quarter 

Second 

Quarter 

Third 

Quarter 

Fourth 

Quarter 

↓ 

2006................................. 

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

68.6 

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 

 

 68.7d 

 

 69.3d 

 68.1d 

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 

68.8d

69.0d

68.4d

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. 

 d

Revised as a result of seasonality computation for this quarter. 
6

The homeownership rate by region was highest in the Midwest (72.5 percent) during the first 

quarter 2006. The South (70.4 percent) ranked second, while the Northeast (64.7 percent) and the 

West (64.4 percent) were lowest, although they were not statistically different from each other. In the 

South, the homeownership rate was lower than the rate in first quarter 2005, while rates for the other 

regions were not statistically different from their respective rates last year. 

 Table 5. Homeownership Rates for the United States and Regions: 2002 to 2006 (in percent) 

 Homeownership Ratesa

 Year/Quarter 

United 

States Northeast Midwest South West 

2006 

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

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

68.5 

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 

64.7 

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 

72.5 

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 

70.4 

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 

64.4 

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 

 a

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

 bRevised to incorporate information collected in Census 2000. 
7

For first quarter 2006, the homeownership rates by age of householder were highest for those 

age 55 to 64 (81.2 percent) and those age 65 years and over (80.3 percent), although they were not statistically 

different from each other. Ranked second were those in the age category 45 to 54 years (75.8 percent). In third 

place were those age 35 to 44 years (68.9 percent) with the lowest rate for the under 35 years of age (42.3 percent) 

group. The rates for householders under 35 years of age and for those 35 to 44 years were lower than their 

respective rates last year, while rates for the other age groups were not statistically different from their 

corresponding rates a year ago. 

Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Age of Householder: 2002 to 2006 (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 

2006 

First Quarter........ 

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....... 

68.5 

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 

42.3 

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 

68.9 

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 

75.8 

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 

81.2 

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 

80.3 

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 

 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 (75.5 percent) was highest. The rate for All Other Races householders was 59.6 percent, 

compared to 47.3 percent for single-race Black householders The rates for non-Hispanic White single-race 

householders and for single-race Black householders were lower than their respective rates last year, while the rate 

for All Other Races householders was statistically unchanged from a year ago. The rate for Hispanic householders 

(who can be of any race) at 49.4 percent was not statistically different from last year’s rate. 

Table 7. Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 2003 to 2006 (in percent) 

Year/Quarter Homeownership Ratesa

U.S. NonHispanic 

White alone

Black 

Alone 

All 

Other 

Racesc

Hispanic 

(of any race)

68.5 

69.0 

68.8 

68.6 

69.1 

69.2 

69.0 

69.2 

68.6 

68.6 

68.4 

68.0 

68.0 

75.5 

76.0 

75.7 

75.6 

76.0 

76.2 

76.1 

76.2 

75.5 

75.5 

75.7 

75.2 

75.0 

 

47.3 

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 

59.6 

60.1 

59.9 

58.0 

59.4 

58.9 

58.6 

58.7 

58.2 

56.6*

56.2*

55.3*

55.7 

49.4 

50.0 

49.1 

49.2 

49.7 

48.9 

48.7 

47.4 

47.3 

47.7 

46.1 

46.2 

46.7 

2006 

First Quarter........ 

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........ 

 *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 first quarter 2006 for householders who reported Black whether or not they reported any other race was 

47.1 percent, compared with a rate of 47.3 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. 

 

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 first quarter 2006, the homeownership rate for households with family incomes greater than or 

equal to the median family income was 83.7 percent, compared to 52.4 percent for those with family incomes 

less than the median family income. Both rates were lower than in the first quarter 2005. 

Table 8. Homeownership Rates by Family Income: 2002 to 2006 (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 

2006 

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

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

68.5 

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 

83.7 

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 

52.4 

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 

 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 9.5 percent is 0.3 percentage points. Then the 90-percent confidence interval is calculated as 

9.5 percent + (1.645 x 0.3), or 9.5 percent + 0.5, or from 9.0 percent to 10.0 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 9.0 percent to 10.0 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

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

all areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. In some cases interviewing took place at trailers or other temporary 

units that were occupied by the original occupants of the damaged structures.