She estimates that 40 percent are renting because of the climbing cost of single-family homes. Locally, the sawdust piles and housing units swelled at a faster rate than the population. St. Cloud's population grew around 21 percent while housing grew around 23 percent in the 1990s. In Sartell, the 22nd fastest growing city in the state, population shot up almost 79 percent and housing grew even more rapidly at around 84 percent. Across the state in the last 10 years population increased 12.44 percent while the number of housing units went up 11.76 percent.
Local experts contend it's even lower.
Low vacancy rates could be compounded by a change in housing preferences. Prior to three years ago, LaLiberte's clients searched for rental units they could stay in temporarily while they searched for a single-family home. Now, people would rather rent for longer, she said. Lynn Stoterau, the assistant property manager for Northern Management Real Estate Services, said his clients typically spend three to four years in an apartment while saving for a home. People make just enough to cover for an apartment or town home and not enough to buy.