FEB. 27, 2018 — Today the U.S. Census Bureau released annual statistics for the 2017 rental and homeowner vacancy rates, homeownership rates and characteristics of units available for rent for the United States, regions, states and the 75 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Data for all geographies are from the Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey and are available annually.
Homeownership rates are also tabulated by age of householder and family status for the United States and regions, and by race/ethnicity of householder for the United States and regions. In addition, estimates are available for total housing inventory and percentage distributions of vacant units for rent and vacant units for sale only.
Public- and private-sector organizations use this information to evaluate the need for new housing programs and initiatives. As a component of the index of leading economic indicators, the rental vacancy rate is used by the federal government and economic forecasters to gauge the economic climate.
For more information, please see the Housing Vacancies and Homeownership page.