Mobile homes made up only 4 percent of all occupied housing units in metropolitan areas in 1993, but 13 percent in nonmetropolitan areas, according to the biennial American Housing Survey. Between 1980 and 1990, according to the decennial Census of Population and Housing, the number of mobile homes in nonmetro areas increased by over 50 percent.
Cost is probably the most compelling factor accounting for the popularity of manufactured housing.
If a permanent room is added, the decennial Census does not count the unit as a mobile home, but the American Housing Survey does. Part of this difference in costs is offset by the fact that most mobile homes are sold separately from the land, which often is rented. Lower investment value also offsets some of the attraction of lower purchase and monthly costs of manufactured housing. Availability of financing is another attraction for some manufactured home purchasers. Most purchase their units with personal property loans arranged through manufactured home dealers.