Census Bureau Reports on Residential Vacancies & Home Ownership

U.S. Census Bureau News

Attachment C

U.S. Department of Commerce • Washington D.C. 20233

For Immediate Release
Friday, January 31, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. EDT
CB14-09
Robert R. Callis
Melissa Kresin
Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division
(301) 763-3199

RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER 2013
National vacancy rates in the fourth quarter 2013 were 8.2 percent for rental housing and 2.1 percent for homeowner housing, the
Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau announced today. The rental vacancy rate of 8.2 percent was 0.5 percentage points (+/-0.4)
lower than the rate in the fourth quarter 2012 and 0.1 percentage point (+/-0.4)* lower than the rate last quarter. The homeowner vacancy
rate of 2.1 percent was 0.2 percentage points higher than the rates in the fourth quarter 2012 (+/-0.2)* and the rate last quarter (+/-0.1).
The homeownership rate of 65.2 percent was 0.2 percentage points (+/-0.4)* lower than the fourth quarter 2012 rate (65.4 percent)
and 0.1 percentage point (+/-0.4)* lower than the rate last quarter (65.3 percent).
Residential Vacancies and Homeownership data for the first quarter 2014 will be released on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. EDT.
Our Internet site is: http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs

Table 1. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States: 2005 to 2013 (in percent)
Rental Vacancy Rate
Homeowner Vacancy Rate
First
Secondl
Third
Fourth
First
Second
Third
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Year
↓
2013.…
8.6
8.2
8.3
8.2
2.1
1.9
1.9
2012.…
8.8
8.6
8.6
8.7
2.2
2.1
1.9
2011….
9.7
9.2
9.8
9.4
2.6
2.5
2.4
2010….
10.6
10.6
10.3
9.4
2.6
2.5
2.5
2009….
10.1
10.6
11.1
10.7
2.7
2.5
2.6
2008….
10.1
10.0
9.9
10.1
2.9
2.8
2.8
2007….
10.1
9.5
9.8
9.6
2.8
2.6
2.7
2006….
9.5
9.6
9.9
9.8
2.1
2.2
2.5
2005….
10.1
9.8
9.9
9.6
1.8
1.8
1.9

Fourth
Quarter
↓
2.1
1.9
2.3
2.7
2.7
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.0

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 Current Population Survey/ Housing Vacancy 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.

In the fourth quarter 2013, the median asking rent for vacant for rent units was $746.

(Actual Dollars)

In the fourth quarter 2013, the median asking sales price for vacant for sale units was $141,000.
Figure 3

Median Asking Sales Price for Vacant for Sale Units, 1995-2013
(Actual Dollars)

NOTE: Median asking sales price and median asking rent data for vacant units can be found in Historical Table 11A/B at
http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.html
*The historical figures in the graphs are not adjusted for inflation.

2

For rental housing by area, the fourth quarter 2013 vacancy rate inside principal cities (8.3 percent) was
higher than the rate in the suburbs (7.4 percent) and lower than the rate outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas
(MSA’s) (10.6 percent). The rental vacancy rate outside MSA’s was higher than the rate in the suburbs. The rental
vacancy rate in the suburbs was lower than a year ago, while the rates inside principle cities and outside MSA’s were
not statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012 rates.
The homeowner vacancy rate inside principal cities (2.4 percent) was higher than the rate in the suburbs
(1.9 percent), but not statistically different from the rate outside MSA’s (2.2 percent). The homeowner vacancy
rate outside MSAs was not statistically different from the rate in the suburbs. The homeowner vacancy rate in
the suburbs was higher than a year ago, while the rates inside principal cities and outside MSA’s were not
statistically different from the corresponding fourth quarter 2012 rates.
Among regions, the rental vacancy rate was highest in the South (10.1 percent), followed by the Midwest
(8.6 percent). The rates in the Northeast (6.7 percent) and the West (6.3 percent) were not statistically different from
each other. The rental vacancy rate in the Northeast was lower than the corresponding fourth quarter 2012 rate, while
the rates in the Midwest, South, and West were not statistically different from last year.
For the fourth quarter 2013, the homeowner vacancy rate was lowest in the West (1.6 percent). The rates in
the Northeast (2.0 percent), Midwest (2.2 percent), and South (2.2 percent) were not statistically different from each
other. The homeowner vacancy rate in the Midwest was higher than a year ago, while the rates in the Northeast,
South, and West were not statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012 rates.
Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates by Area and Region: Fourth Quarter 2012 and 2013 (in percent)
Rental Vacancy Rates

Homeowner Vacancy Rates

90-Percent
Confidence Interval ( + ) a
Fourth
Quarter
2012

Fourth
Quarter
2013

United States.....……..

8.7

Inside Metropolitan
Statistical Areas.…….

Area/Region

90-Percent
Confidence Interval ( + ) a
Fourth
Quarter
2012

Fourth
Quarter
2013

of
2013 rate

of
difference

of
2013 rate

of
difference

8.2

0.4

0.4

1.9

2.1

0.1

0.2

8.6

7.9

0.4

0.4

1.9

2.0

0.2

0.2

In principal cities…

8.7

8.3

0.5

0.5

2.5

2.4

0.3

0.3

Not in principal
cities (suburbs)……..

8.6

7.4

0.6

0.6

1.6

1.9

0.2

0.2

Outside Metropolitan
Statistical Areas…….

9.6

10.6

1.5

1.5

2.1

2.2

0.3

0.3

Northeast.........……..

7.5

6.7

0.6

0.8

1.9

2.0

0.3

0.4

Midwest...........……..

9.3

8.6

0.7

0.9

1.8

2.2

0.3

0.3

South...............……..

10.7

10.1

0.8

0.9

2.2

2.2

0.2

0.3

West................……..

6.5

6.3

0.7

0.8

1.6

1.6

0.2

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 11.
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 non-metropolitan statistical
areas. The December 2003 definitions are available at: http://www.census.gov/population/metro/

3

Approximately 86.5 percent of the housing units in the United States in the fourth quarter 2013 were
occupied and 13.5 percent were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 56.4 percent of total housing
units, while renter-occupied units made up 30.1 percent of the inventory in the fourth quarter 2013. Vacant yearround units comprised 10.2 percent of total housing units, while 3.3 percent were for seasonal use.
Approximately 2.7 percent of the total units were for rent, 1.2 percent were for sale only, and 0.7 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, 0.9 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 2012 and 2013*
(Estimates are in thousands and may not add to total, due to rounding)

Type

Fourth
Quarter
2012/r

Fourth
Quarter
2013

Difference
Between
Estimates

90-Percent
Confidence
Interval ( + ) a

Percent of
total
(2013)

of 2013
estimate

of
difference

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

132,573

132,935

362

(X)

(X)

100

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

114,699
74,995
39,703

114,964
74,946
40,018

265
-49
315

245
630
561

220
430
433

86.5
56.4
30.1

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

17,875
13,557
3,851
1,494
935
7,277
2,248
1,282
3,746
4,317

17,972
13,550
3,628
1,586
991
7,345
2,373
1,215
3,757
4,422

97
-7
-223
92
56
68
125
-67
11
105

371
364
169
95
69
276
160
115
200
241

330
315
192
119
96
239
137
101
174
210

13.5
10.2
2.7
1.2
0.7
5.5
1.8
0.9
2.8
3.3

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

Seasonal…………….
*
a

The housing inventory estimates are benchmarked to 2010 Census.

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 11.
(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 2012 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 2010 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 second quarter 2013, the housing inventory estimates are based on vintage 2012 housing unit controls that are projected forward
through 2013. The fourth quarter 2013 housing inventory estimates, shown above, reflect vintage 2012 housing unit controls, benchmarked to the
2010 Census. The CPS/HVS historical table series, from the first quarter 2010 through the first quarter 2013, has also been revised based on
vintage 2012 housing unit controls. These revised estimates and additional information on terms and definitions can be found at:
http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.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/methodology/

4

The homeownership rate of 65.2 percent was 0.2 percentage points (+/-0.4)* lower than the fourth
quarter 2012 rate (65.4 percent) and 0.1 percentage point (+/-0.4)* lower than the rate last quarter (65.3
percent).

Table 4. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1995 to 2013 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
Year

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter
↓

2013…………………………...
2012…………………………...
2011…………………………...
2010…………………………...

65.0
65.4
66.4
67.1

65.0
65.5
65.9
66.9

65.3
65.5
66.3
66.9

65.2
65.4
66.0
66.5

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

67.3
67.8
68.4
68.5
69.1

67.4
68.1
68.2
68.7
68.6

67.6
67.9
68.2
69.0
68.8

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

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.

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.

5

Table 4SA shows the seasonally adjusted homeownership rates for the United States, from
1995 to the present. (Research has shown that seasonality for homeownership rates is present). When
adjusted for seasonal variation, the current homeownership rate (65.1 percent) was not statistically different from
the fourth quarter 2012 rate (65.3 percent) and virtually unchanged from the rate last quarter (65.1 percent).
Table 4SA. Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1995 to 2013 Seasonally Adjusted*
(in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa (Seasonally Adjusted)
Year

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter
↓

2013……………………………
2012……………………………
2011……………………………
2010……………………………

65.2
65.6
66.5
67.2

65.1
65.6
66.0
67.0

65.1
65.3
66.1
66.7

65.1
65.3
65.9
66.5

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

67.4
67.9
68.5
68.6
69.2

67.4
68.1
68.3
68.8
68.8

67.4
67.7
68.0
68.9
68.7

67.2
67.5
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

*

As new quarterly data are input, previous quarters’ seasonally adjusted homeownership rates may change.
Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates for the United States generally are 0.3 percent.
b
Revised in 2002 to incorporate information collected in Census 2000.
a

6

For the fourth quarter 2013, the homeownership rates were highest in the Midwest (69.8 percent) and lowest
in the West (59.3 percent). The homeownership rate in the Northeast was lower than its corresponding fourth quarter
2012 rate, while the rates in the Midwest, South, and West were not statistically different from the rates a year ago.
Table 5. Homeownership Rates for the United States and Regions: 2007 to 2013 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
Year/Quarter

United
States

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

2013
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………....
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

65.2
65.3
65.0
65.0

62.8
63.6
63.2
62.5

69.8
69.6
69.4
70.0

67.1
66.9
66.5
66.5

59.3
59.5
59.4
59.4

2012
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………....
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

65.4
65.5
65.5
65.4

63.9
63.9
63.7
62.5

69.7
69.6
69.6
69.5

67.0
66.9
67.4
67.5

59.5
60.1
59.7
59.9

2011
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………....
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

66.0
66.3
65.9
66.4

63.7
63.7
63.0
63.9

70.0
70.3
70.0
70.4

68.3
68.4
68.2
68.4

60.1
60.7
60.3
60.9

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

a

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

7

For the fourth quarter 2013, the homeownership rates were highest for those householders ages 65 years and
over (80.7 percent) and lowest for the under 35 years of age group (36.8 percent). The rate for householders 55 to 64
was lower than the fourth quarter 2012 rate. The rates for householders less than 35, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 65 years
and over were not statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012 rates.
Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Age of Householder: 2007 to 2013 (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

2013
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter…...
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……

65.2
65.3
65.0
65.0

36.8
36.8
36.7
36.8

60.9
61.1
60.3
60.1

71.4
71.3
70.9
71.3

76.5
76.2
76.7
77.0

80.7
81.2
80.9
80.4

2012
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……

65.4
65.5
65.5
65.4

37.1
36.3
36.5
36.8

60.4
61.8
62.2
61.4

72.1
72.0
71.4
71.3

77.6
76.9
77.1
77.8

80.7
81.4
81.6
80.9

2011
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……

66.0
66.3
65.9
66.4

37.6
38.0
37.5
37.9

62.3
63.4
63.8
64.4

72.7
72.7
72.3
73.1

79.0
78.6
77.8
78.6

80.9
81.1
80.8
81.0

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

a

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

8

For the racial categories shown below, the homeownership rate for the fourth quarter 2013 for non-Hispanic
White householders reporting a single race was highest at 73.4 percent. The rate for All Other Races householders
was second at 56.0 percent and Black Alone householders was lowest at 43.2 percent. The homeownership rate for
Black Alone householders was lower than the fourth quarter 2012 rate, while the rates for non-Hispanic White and
All Other Race householders were not statistically different from the rates last year.
The homeownership rate for Hispanic householders (who can be of any race), 45.5 percent, was not
statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012 rate.
Table 7. Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 2009 to 2013 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
NonBlack
All
Hispanic
Aloneb
Other
White alone
Racesc

Year/Quarter

United
States

2013
Fourth Quarter……
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……..

65.2
65.3
65.0
65.0

73.4
73.3
73.3
73.4

43.2
43.1
42.9
43.1

56.0
55.2
54.5
54.6

45.5
47.6
45.9
45.3

2012
Fourth Quarter……
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……..

65.4
65.5
65.5
65.4

73.6
73.6
73.5
73.5

44.5
44.1
43.8
43.1

55.2
54.6
55.0
55.1

45.0
46.7
46.5
46.3

2011
Fourth Quarter…..
Third Quarter……
Second Quarter…
First Quarter……...

66.0
66.3
65.9
66.4

73.7
73.8
73.7
74.1

45.1
45.6
44.2
44.8

56.5
56.4
56.0
56.7

46.6
47.6
46.6
46.8

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

a

Hispanic
(of any race)

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 2013 for householders who reported Black whether or not they reported any other race was 43.0 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 website at:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs.html

9

The homeownership rate for households with family incomes greater than or equal to the median family
income was not statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012 rate (80.4 percent). The rate for those households
with family incomes less than the median family income was not statistically different from the fourth quarter 2012
rate (50.3 percent).
Table 8. Homeownership Rates by Family Income: 2008 to 2013 (in percent)
Homeownership Ratesa
Households with family Households with family
Year/Quarter
United States
income greater than or
income less than the
equal to the median
median family income
family incomeb
2013*
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………....
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

65.2
65.3
65.0
65.0

80.2
79.9
79.7
80.0

50.2
50.6
50.3
50.0

2012*
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………...
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

65.4
65.5
65.5
65.4

80.4
80.3
80.5
80.3

50.3
50.6
50.6
50.4

2011*
Fourth Quarter………..
Third Quarter………...
Second Quarter……….
First Quarter…………..

66.0
66.3
65.9
66.4

80.8
81.3
81.2
81.5

51.3
51.3
50.6
51.4

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

a

Standard errors for quarterly homeownership rates by family income generally are 0.3 percent.
Based on family or primary individual income.
*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 2.1 percentage points for
those at or below the median family income and an increase of 0.4 percentage points for those above the median family income level for the fourth quarter
2013. Under previous procedures (not imputing missing values) for the fourth quarter 2013, the homeownership rate was 48.1 percent for those at or below
the median family income and 79.8 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.
b

10

Note: This press release, along with more detailed data, is available on the Internet. Our Internet address
is: http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs
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 8.2 percent is 0.226 percentage points. Then the 90-percent confidence interval is calculated as
8.2 + (1.645 x 0.226) percent, or 8.2 + 0.4 percent, or from 7.8 percent to 8.6 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 7.8 percent to 8.6 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 (2000-2009 data) and Census 2010 (2010-present data) and updated with building permit data, estimates
of housing loss, and other administrative records data. In the second quarter 2013, the CPS/HVS revised the
series of housing inventory estimates back to the first quarter 2010, based on the latest series of independent
housing controls, the vintage 2012 time series. Housing inventory estimates from the second quarter 2000
through the fourth quarter 2009 are revised based on the vintage 2010 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 2012 housing unit estimates that are projected forward through the
fourth quarter 2013. The vintage 2012 estimates are benchmarked to the 2010 Census. 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/methodology
Note: This time series is by the latest "vintage" year. For example, vintage 2012 means that all of the estimates in this time series
are identified as belonging to "vintage 2012." The 2010 data are from the 2012 vintage, the 2011 data are from the 2012 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/housing/hvs
Beginning in the first quarter 2012, the population controls reflect the results of the 2010 decennial census.
This change has virtually no effect on vacancy and homeownership rates, as described below.
Research has shown that the new 2010-based controls increased the rental vacancy rate in April 2010 from
10.43 percent to 10.45 percent---a difference of less than 1/10 of one percent. The homeowner vacancy rate
remained the same at 2.63 percent, while the homeownership rate was up from 66.67 percent to 66.74 percent.
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.
11

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.

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

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

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

  awaiting occupancy   units for sale only  
 



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 ) (% ) = 

12