Census Bureau Reports on Residential Vacancies & Home Ownership

U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce • Washington D.C. 20233

For Immediate Release
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. EDT
CB11-10
Robert R. Callis
Melissa Kresin
Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division
(301) 763-3199

RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER 2010
National vacancy rates in the fourth quarter 2010 were 9.4 percent for rental housing and 2.7 percent for homeowner housing, the
Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau announced today. The rental vacancy rate of 9.4 percent was 1.3 percentage points
lower than the rate recorded in the fourth quarter 2009 (+/-0.5 percentage points) and 0.9 percentage points lower than last quarter
(+/-0.4). The homeowner vacancy rate of 2.7 percent was approximately the same as the fourth quarter 2009 rate (+/-0.2)* and 0.2
percentage points higher (+/-0.2) than the rate last quarter (2.5 percent).
The homeownership rate of 66.5 percent was 0.7 percentage points (+/-0.4%) lower than the fourth quarter 2009 rate (67.2 percent)
and 0.4 percentage points (+/-0.4%) lower than the rate last quarter (66.9 percent).
New Residential Vacancies and Homeownership data for the first quarter 2011 will be released on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. EDT.
Our Internet site is: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/hvs.html

Table 1. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States: 1996 to 2010 (in percent)
Rental vacancy rate
Year

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Homeowner vacancy rate
Fourth
Quarter

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

↓
2010….
2009….
2008….
2007….
2006….
2005….
2004….
2003….
2002a ...
2002….
2001….
2000....
1999.....
1998.....
1997.....
1996.....
a

10.6
10.1
10.1
10.1
9.5
10.1
10.4
9.4
9.1
9.1
8.2
7.9
8.2
7.7
7.5
7.9

10.6
10.6
10.0
9.5
9.6
9.8
10.2
9.6
8.4
8.5
8.3
8.0
8.1
8.0
7.9
7.8

10.3
11.1
9.9
9.8
9.9
9.9
10.1
9.9
9.0
9.1
8.4
8.2
8.2
8.2
7.9
8.0

9.4
10.7
10.1
9.6
9.8
9.6
10.0
10.2
9.3
9.4
8.8
7.8
7.9
7.8
7.7
7.7

Fourth
Quarter
↓

2.6
2.7
2.9
2.8
2.1
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.6
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.6

2.5
2.5
2.8
2.6
2.2
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.5

2.5
2.6
2.8
2.7
2.5
1.9
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.9
1.6
1.6
1.7
1.5
1.7

2.7
2.7
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.0
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.7
1.7

Revised in 2002 to incorporate information collected in Census 2000.

Explanatory Notes
These statistics are estimated from sample surveys. They are subject to sampling variability as well as nonsampling error including bias and variance from response,
nonreporting, and undercoverage. Whenever a statement such as “0.6 percentage points (±0.5%) above” appears in the text, this indicates the range (0.1 to 1.1 percentage
points) in which the actual percent change is likely to have occurred. All ranges given for percent changes are 90-percent confidence intervals and account only for
sampling variability. If a range does not contain zero, the change is statistically significant. If the range does contain zero, the change is not statistically significant; that is,
it is uncertain whether there was an increase or decrease. The data in this report are from 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 non-institutional population of the United States
(homeownership rate). For an explanation of how the rates are calculated, please see pages 11-12. Explanations of confidence intervals and sampling variability can be
found on our web site listed above.
*90% confidence interval includes zero. The Census Bureau does not have sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.

For rental housing by area, the fourth quarter 2010 vacancy rates inside principal cities (9.8 percent), in the suburbs
(9.1 percent), and outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s) (9.1 percent), were not statistically different from each
other. The rental vacancy rates in principal cities, in the suburbs, and outside MSA’s were lower than their corresponding
fourth quarter 2009 rates.
The homeowner vacancy rate in principal cities (3.6 percent) was higher than in the suburbs and outside MSA’s
(2.3 percent each). The homeowner vacancy rate in principal cities was higher than in the fourth quarter 2009, while the
rate outside MSA’s was lower than the corresponding fourth quarter 2009 rate.
Among regions, the rental vacancy rate was highest in the South (11.5 percent). Rates were lower in the Northeast
(7.5 percent) and West (7.9 percent), but these rates were not statistically different from each other. The rental vacancy rates
in the Midwest, South, and West were lower than in the fourth quarter 2009, while the rate in the Northeast was statistically
unchanged.
For the fourth quarter 2010, the homeowner vacancy rate was lowest in the Northeast (2.0 percent). The homeowner
vacancy rates in all regions were not significantly different from a year ago.

Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates by Area and Region: Fourth Quarter 2009 and 2010
(in percent)
Rental vacancy rates

Homeowner vacancy rates

90-Percent
Confidence Interval ( + ) a
Fourth
Quarter
2009

Fourth
Quarter
2010

United States.....……..

10.7

Inside Metropolitan
Statistical Areas.…….

Area/Region

90-Percent
Confidence Interval ( + ) a
Fourth
Quarter
2009

Fourth
Quarter
2010

of
2010 rate

of
difference

Of
2010 rate

of
difference

9.4

0.4

0.5

2.7

2.7

0.1

0.2

10.7

9.5

0.4

0.5

2.7

2.7

0.2

0.2

In principal cities……

11.2

9.8

0.6

0.6

3.1

3.6

0.4

0.4

Not in principal
cities (suburbs)……..

10.2

9.1

0.6

0.7

2.5

2.3

0.2

0.2

Outside Metropolitan
Statistical Areas…….

10.8

9.1

1.4

1.5

2.8

2.3

0.3

0.4

Northeast.........……..

7.2

7.5

0.7

0.8

1.9

2.0

0.3

0.4

Midwest...........……..

11.2

9.6

0.8

0.9

2.8

2.8

0.3

0.3

South...............……..

13.7

11.5

0.8

1.0

2.9

2.8

0.2

0.3

West................……..

8.9

7.9

0.7

0.9

2.7

2.7

0.3

0.4

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: Metropolitan 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. In this report, outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas includes micropolitan and nonmetropolitan statistical areas. The December 2003 definitions are available at: http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html and
http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/aboutmetro.html.

2

Approximately 85.9 percent of the housing units in the United States in the fourth quarter 2010 were
occupied and 14.1 percent were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 57.2 percent of total housing
units, while renter-occupied units made up 28.8 percent of the inventory in the fourth quarter 2010. Vacant
year-round units comprised 10.8 percent of total housing units, while 3.3 percent were for seasonal use.
Approximately 3.0 percent of the total units were for rent, 1.6 percent were for sale only, and 0.6 percent were
rented or sold but not yet occupied. Vacant units that were held off market comprised 5.5 percent of the total
housing stock. Of these units, 1.8 percent were for occasional use, 1.0 percent were temporarily occupied by
persons with usual residence elsewhere (URE), and 2.8 percent were vacant for a variety of other reasons.

Table 3. Estimates of the Total Housing Inventory for the United States:
Fourth Quarter 2009 and 2010
(Estimates are in thousands and may not add to total, due to rounding)

Type

Fourth
Quarter
2009/r

Fourth
Quarter
2010

Difference
Between
Estimates

90-Percent
Confidence
Interval ( + ) a

Percent of
total
(2010)

of 2010
estimate

Of
difference

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

130,189

130,845

656

(X)

(X)

100

Occupied......................
Owner........................
Renter........................

111,370
74,812
36,558

112,451
74,782
37,669

1,081
-30
1,111

282
630
552

257
430
425

85.9
57.2
28.8

Vacant..........................
Year-round.................
For rent....................
For sale only............
Rented or Sold…….
Held off Market……

18,821
14,209
4,462
2,080
900
6,765
2,112
1,166
3,487
4,612

18,394
14,100
3,969
2,052
843
7,236
2,376
1,257
3,602
4,294

-427
-109
-493
-28
-57
471
264
91
115
-318

375
370
177
108
64
274
160
117
196
238

335
321
203
137
91
234
135
100
169
212

14.1
10.8
3.0
1.6
0.6
5.5
1.8
1.0
2.8
3.3

For Occ’l Use……...
Temp occ by URE…
Other……………….

Seasonal…………….
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.
(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.
r/Revised using Vintage 2009 housing unit controls. See note below.
NOTE:
Since first quarter 2003, the Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) estimates have been controlled to an
independent set of housing unit estimates produced annually by the Population Division from Census 2000 and updated using building
permit data, estimates of housing loss, and other administrative record data. Doing so makes the CPS/HVS estimates of housing units
more comparable to other Census Bureau housing surveys controlled to these census-based estimates. The housing unit controls affect
the estimate of vacant units in the sense that the estimates of total occupied and vacant units sum to the control total. Vacancy rates
and homeownership rates are not affected by this change.
Beginning in the third quarter 2010, the housing inventory estimates are based on vintage 2009 housing unit controls that are projected
forward through 2010. The fourth quarter 2010 housing inventory estimates, shown above, reflect vintage 2009 housing unit controls.
The CPS/HVS historical table series, from second quarter 2000 through the second quarter 2010, has also been revised based on vintage
2009 housing unit controls. These revised estimates and additional information on terms and definitions can be found at:
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/historic/index.html
For the methodology used in developing the housing unit estimates used for controls in the CPS/HVS, please see Population Division’s
website: http://www.census.gov/popest/topics/methodology.

3

The homeownership rate of 66.5 percent was 0.7 percentage points (+/-0.4%) lower than the fourth
quarter 2009 rate (67.2 percent) and 0.4 percentage points (+/-0.4%) lower than the rate last quarter (66.9
percent).
Table 4. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1985 to 2010 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
Year

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter
↓

2010…………………………...
2009…………………………...
2008…………………………...
2007…………………………...
2006…………………………...
2005…………………………...

67.1
67.3
67.8
68.4
68.5
69.1

66.9
67.4
68.1
68.2
68.7
68.6

66.9
67.6
67.9
68.2
69.0
68.8

66.5
67.2
67.5
67.8
68.9
69.0

2004…………………………..
2003…………………………..
2002b………………………….
2002…………………………..
2001…………………………..
2000..........................................

68.6
68.0
67.8
67.8
67.5
67.1

69.2
68.0
67.6
67.6
67.7
67.2

69.0
68.4
68.0
68.0
68.1
67.7

69.2
68.6
68.3
68.3
68.0
67.5

1999..........................................
1998..........................................
1997..........................................
1996..........................................
1995..........................................

66.7
65.9
65.4
65.1
64.2

66.6
66.0
65.7
65.4
64.7

67.0
66.8
66.0
65.6
65.0

66.9
66.4
65.7
65.4
65.1

1994..........................................
1993b.........................................
1993..........................................
1992..........................................
1991..........................................
1990..........................................

63.8
63.7
64.2
64.0
63.9
64.0

63.8
63.9
64.4
63.9
63.9
63.7

64.1
64.2
64.7
64.3
64.2
64.0

64.2
64.2
64.6
64.4
64.2
64.1

1989c.........................................
1989.........................................
1988.........................................
1987.........................................
1986.........................................
1985.........................................

63.9
63.9
63.7
63.8
63.6
64.1

63.8
63.9
63.7
63.8
63.8
64.1

64.1
64.0
64.0
64.2
63.8
63.9

63.8
63.8
63.8
64.1
63.9
63.5

a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.3 percent.
Revised 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.

b

*90% confidence interval includes zero. The Census Bureau does not have sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.

4

Table 4SA shows the seasonally adjusted homeownership rates for the United States, from
1985 to the present. (Research has shown that seasonality for homeownership rates is present.) When
adjusted for seasonal variation, the current homeownership rate (66.6 percent) was lower than the rate in the
fourth quarter 2009 (67.3 percent), but not statistically different from the rate last quarter (66.7 percent).
Table 4SA. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1985 to 2010
Seasonally Adjusted (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa (Seasonally Adjusted)
Year

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter
↓

2010……………………………
2009……………………………
2008……………………………
2007……………………………
2006……………………………
2005……………………………

67.2
67.4
67.9
68.5
68.6
69.2

66.9
67.4
68.1
68.3
68.8
68.8

66.7
67.4
67.7
68.0
68.9
68.7

66.6
67.3
67.6
67.8
68.8
68.9

2004……………………………
2003……………………………
2002b…………………………..
2001…………………………..
2000..........................................

68.7
68.1
67.9
67.6
67.1

69.4
68.2
67.8
67.9
67.3

68.9
68.3
67.9
67.9
67.5

69.0
68.5
68.2
67.9
67.5

1999..........................................
1998..........................................
1997..........................................
1996..........................................
1995..........................................

66.7
66.0
65.5
65.3
64.4

66.7
66.1
65.7
65.4
64.7

66.8
66.6
65.8
65.4
64.8

66.9
66.5
65.8
65.4
65.1

1994..........................................
1993b.........................................
1992..........................................
1991..........................................
1990..........................................

64.0
63.9
64.1
64.0
64.1

63.9
64.0
64.1
64.1
63.9

63.9
64.0
64.1
64.1
63.9

64.1
64.1
64.3
64.1
64.0

1989c.........................................
1988.........................................
1987.........................................
1986.........................................
1985.........................................

64.0
63.8
63.9
63.7
64.1

63.9
63.8
63.9
63.8
64.1

63.9
63.8
64.1
63.7
63.8

63.7
63.8
64.1
63.9
63.6

a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.3 percent.
Revised 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.

b

5

For the fourth quarter 2010, the homeownership rates were highest in the Midwest (70.5 percent) and lowest
in the West (61.0 percent). The homeownership rates in the Midwest, South, and West were lower than a year ago,
while the Northeast is the only region with a homeownership rate statistically unchanged from the corresponding
fourth quarter 2009 rate.
Table 5. Homeownership Rates for the United States and Regions: 2005 to 2010 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
Year/Quarter

United
States

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

2010
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………....
Second Quarter………
First Quarter………….

66.5
66.9
66.9
67.1

64.1
63.9
64.2
64.4

70.5
71.1
70.8
70.9

68.5
69.1
69.1
69.2

61.0
61.3
61.4
61.9

2009
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter………….

67.2
67.6
67.4
67.3

63.9
64.0
64.3
63.7

71.3
71.6
70.5
70.7

69.1
69.7
70.0
69.6

62.3
62.7
62.5
62.8

2008
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

67.5
67.9
68.1
67.8

64.0
64.4
65.3
64.7

71.4
71.9
71.7
72.0

69.8
69.9
70.2
69.7

62.7
63.5
63.0
62.8

2007
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter………….

67.8
68.2
68.2
68.4

64.6
65.2
65.4
64.8

71.7
71.9
71.8
72.2

70.0
70.1
69.9
70.6

62.7
63.5
64.1
63.6

2006
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter………….

68.9
69.0
68.7
68.5

65.3
65.5
65.4
64.7

73.0
72.8
72.5
72.5

70.8
70.6
70.4
70.4

64.5
65.3
64.7
64.4

2005
Fourth Quarter………...
Third Quarter………….
Second Quarter………..
First Quarter…………..

69.0
68.8
68.6
69.1

65.4
65.1
64.7
65.4

72.8
73.3
73.4
73.1

71.1
70.6
70.4
71.1

64.6
64.2
63.8
64.9

a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by region generally are 0.6 percent.

6

For the fourth quarter 2010, the homeownership rates were highest for those householders ages 65 years and
over (80.5 percent) and lowest for the under 35 years of age group (39.2 percent). The rates for householders less
than 35 years old, 35 to 44, and 45 to 54 years old were lower than their respective rates a year ago, while those
householders 55 to 64 and 65 years and over showed no significant change from their corresponding rates in the
fourth quarter 2009.
Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Age of Householder: 2005 to 2010 (in percent)

Year/Quarter

Homeownership Ratesa
35 to 44
45 to 54
years
years

United
States

Under
35 years

55 to 64
years

65 years
and over

2010
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter…….

66.5
66.9
66.9
67.1

39.2
39.2
39.0
38.9

63.9
65.2
65.6
65.3

72.7
73.0
73.6
74.8

79.0
79.2
78.7
79.1

80.5
80.6
80.4
80.6

2009
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter…….

67.2
67.6
67.4
67.3

40.4
39.8
39.0
39.8

65.7
66.5
66.8
65.7

74.0
74.5
74.5
74.6

78.9
79.4
79.9
79.8

80.2
80.9
80.4
80.4

2008
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter……..

67.5
67.9
68.1
67.8

40.3
41.0
41.2
41.3

66.6
67.2
67.6
66.7

74.5
75.2
75.4
75.0

79.7
80.0
80.1
80.4

80.4
80.1
80.2
79.9

2007
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter…….

67.8
68.2
68.2
68.4

41.0
42.0
41.9
41.7

67.2
68.1
67.6
68.3

75.1
75.2
75.5
75.8

80.4
81.1
80.6
80.4

80.3
79.9
80.5
80.9

2006
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter…….

68.9
69.0
68.7
68.5

42.8
43.0
42.4
42.3

68.9
68.8
68.9
68.9

76.4
76.4
76.3
75.8

80.7
80.7
81.0
81.2

81.2
81.5
80.6
80.3

2005
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter…….

69.0
68.8
68.6
69.1

43.1
43.0
42.8
43.3

69.7
68.6
68.7
70.1

76.7
76.7
76.3
76.5

80.6
80.9
81.3
81.8

80.6
80.6
80.3
80.8

a

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

7

For the racial categories shown below, the homeownership rate for the fourth quarter 2010 for non-Hispanic
White householders reporting a single race was highest at 74.2 percent. The rate for All Other Races householders
was second at 57.7 percent and Black Alone householders was lowest, at 44.8 percent. The homeownership rate for
Black Alone householders was lower than in the fourth quarter 2009, while the rates for non-Hispanic White and All
Other Race householders was not statistically different from one year ago. The rate for Hispanic householders (who
can be of any race), 46.8 percent, was lower than the rate one year ago.
Table 7. Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 2007 to 2010 (in percent)

U.S.
Year/Quarter

Homeownership Ratesa
NonBlack
All
b
Hispanic
Alone
Other
White alone
Racesc

Hispanic
(of any race)

2010
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter…….

66.5
66.9
66.9
67.1

74.2
74.7
74.4
74.5

44.8
45.0
46.2
45.6

57.7
57.3
55.7
57.2

46.8
47.0
47.8
48.5

2009
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter……..

67.2
67.6
67.4
67.3

74.5
75.0
74.9
74.7

46.0
46.4
46.5
46.1

58.4
57.8
57.6
57.4

48.4
48.7
48.1
48.6

2008
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter….
First Quarter…….

67.5
67.9
68.1
67.8

74.8
75.1
75.2
75.0

46.8
47.8
47.8
47.1

58.3
59.0
58.4
58.1

48.6
49.5
49.6
48.9

2007
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…..
First Quarter……..

67.8
68.2
68.2
68.4

74.9
75.3
75.4
75.3

47.7
46.7
46.3
48.0

58.6
60.1
59.4
58.6

48.5
50.1
50.0
50.1

a

Standard 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, 0.7 percent for All Other Races householders, and 0.6 percent for
Hispanic householders.
b
The homeownership rate for fourth quarter 2010 for householders who reported Black whether or not they reported any other race was 44.9 percent.
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.

8

In the fourth quarter 2010 the homeownership rate for households with family incomes greater than or
equal to the median family income was 81.7 percent. The rate for those households with family incomes less than
the median family income was 51.4 percent.
Table 8. Homeownership Rates by Family Income: 2006 to 2010 (in percent)

Year/Quarter

Homeownership Ratesa
Households with family
United States
income greater than or
equal to the median
family incomeb

Households with family
income less than the
median family income

2010*
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………...
Second Quarter………
First Quarter………….

66.5
66.9
66.9
67.1

81.7*
81.9*
81.9*
82.0*

51.4*
51.9*
51.9*
52.2*

2009
Fourth Quarter……….
Third Quarter………..
Second Quarter………
First Quarter…………

67.2
67.6
67.4
67.3

81.8
81.9
82.2
82.4

50.2
51.7
51.5
51.0

2008
Fourth Quarter……….
Third Quarter………..
Second Quarter………
First Quarter………….

67.5
67.9
68.1
67.8

82.9
83.0
83.5
82.8

51.2
52.0
51.8
51.2

2007
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter………….

67.8
68.2
68.2
68.4

83.0
83.7
83.4
83.3

50.9
51.9
52.0
52.1

2006
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter…………
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter………….

68.9
69.0
68.7
68.5

84.5
84.4
84.1
83.7

52.9
53.0
52.6
52.4

a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by family income generally are 0.3 percent.
Based on family or primary individual income.

b

* Beginning in 2010, we began imputing missing values for the family income question, which is used in the homeownership table above.
Previously, householders not responding to this question were excluded from the homeownership calculations for those below/above the median
family income level. When compared to previous procedures, this change resulted in an increase in the homeownership rate of 2.2 percentage points for
those at or below the median family income and an increase of 0.6 percentage points for those above the median family income level for the fourth quarter
2010. Under previous procedures (not imputing missing values) for the fourth quarter 2010, the homeownership rate was 49.2 percent for those at or below
the median family income and 81.1 percent for those above the median family income level. Data users should keep this in mind when comparing data
from 2010 and later to earlier data.

9

Note: This press release, along with more detailed data, is available on the Internet. Our Internet address
is: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/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 9.4 percent is 0.247 percentage points. Then the 90-percent confidence interval is calculated as
9.4 + (1.645 x 0.247) percent, or 9.4 + 0.4 percent, or from 9.0 percent to 9.8 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 9.8 percent.
Since the first quarter 2003, the Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS)
housing inventory estimates have been controlled to independent housing unit estimates based upon Census
2000 and updated with building permit data, estimates of housing loss, and other administrative records data.
In the third quarter 2010, the CPS/HVS revised the entire series of housing inventory estimates back to the
second quarter 2000, based on the latest series of independent housing controls, the vintage 2009 time series.
Housing inventory estimates, prior to the second quarter 2000, have not been revised. The CPS/HVS housing
inventory data series are based on the independently produced vintage 2009 housing unit estimates that are
projected forward through the fourth quarter 2010. The same general procedure will be followed each year in
revising housing inventory estimates with the most up-to-date independent housing estimates available.
For an explanation of the methodology used in producing the housing inventory independent estimates,
please see: http://www.census.gov/popest/topics/methodology.
Note: This time series is by the latest "vintage" year. For example, vintage 2009 means that all of the estimates in this time series
are identified as belonging to "vintage 2009." The 2000 data are from the 2009 vintage, the 2001 data are from the 2009 vintage,
and so on.

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
http://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.
10





Rental Vacancy Rate (% ) = 
  Renter

  occupied
  units




Vacant year − round


units for rent
 * 100
 Vacant year − round 

 Vacant year − round  
 


+
+
units
rented
but
 
 


  awaiting occupancy   units for rent

 


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.




Homeowner Vacancy Rate (% ) = 
  Owner

  occupied
  units




Vacant year − round


units for sale only
 * 100

 Vacant year − round 
 Vacant year − round  
 

 + 
 +  units sold but

  units for sale only  
 
awaiting
occupancy
 



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).
 Owner occupied housing units 
 * 100
 Total 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,
 Owner occupied housing units (West ) 
 * 100
 Total occupied housing units (West ) 

Homeownership Rate (West ) (% ) = 

11