Owning a home is a dream for many people, and in the United States, it’s a reality for the majority of households.

In this resource, we will be answering the question: How many homeowners are there in the US? 

Currently in the United States, there is a high rate of homeownership.

There are many factors that have contributed and continue to contribute to the high homeownership rate in the US. 

Let’s explore America’s high homeownership rates.

Key Statistics

  • In 2022, 230 million Americans (65.8%) were homeowners in the United States.
  • West Virginia is at the top of the homeownership figures at 79%
  • The District of Columbia is the lowest in the country with a 42% homeownership rate.
  • 60% of female heads of household across any marital status are homeowners.
  • 74% of male heads of household owned homes in 2021.
  • North America is home to 82.64 million single-family houses. 

How Many Homeowners are There in the US in 2023? 

Homeowners 415

As of 2022, there are an estimated 230 million homeowners in the US, representing 65.8% of Americans. 

This figure shows a slight increase from the previous year, and it’s the highest homeownership rate in the US since 2006.

West Virginia has 79% of the homeownership market, which is the highest percentage in the United States.

Minnesota is second highest with 76% and Maine ties Minnesota with 76%. 

The three lowest homeownership percentages fall to the District of Columbia at 42%, California at 54% and New York also at 54%. 

Moreover, 82.64 million single-family homes are in America.

(Simply Insurance, Statista)

What Factors Influence America’s High Homeownership Rates?

One factor is the easy availability of mortgage financing.

The US government has a lot of programs that make it easier for people to buy homes.

Two such programs include loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Another factor that contributes to the high homeownership rate is the tax benefits offered to homeowners.

Homeowners can deduct their home loan interest from their federal income taxes.

Moreover, they can deduct their property taxes.

The high homeownership rate in the US has its benefits. For homeowners, it provides a sense of security and stability.

Additionally, homeowners can build equity in their homes, which can be a valuable asset in retirement. 

In terms of the national economy, high homeownership rates boost economic growth by increasing consumer spending.

However, there are also challenges associated with the high homeownership rate in the US.

One challenge is that it can be difficult for first-time homebuyers to enter the market.

Another challenge is that it can be difficult for homeowners overall to afford their mortgages, especially as interest rates rise.

(FRBSF, Urban Institute 2)

How Many Homeowners in the United States Have Male and Female Heads of Household?

In terms of marital status, married households are at the top of the rank with the highest rate of homeownership.

Also, the female heads of household across any marital status stayed almost the same between 1990 into 2021.

The male homeownership rate accounted for 74% and the female homeownership rate accounted for 60% in 2021.

Technically, that would represent a 14.2% difference in percentage points between the genders.

Among non-married/never-married households heads, homeownership in terms of gender basically stayed the same.

Between the male (40% 2021) and female (34% 2021) never-married households, rates held firm with an 8% increase between 1990 and 2021.

(Urban Institute)

What Age Group Makes Up for the Most American Homeowners?

In 2020, the statistics showed that most homeowners were between 22 and 30 years old, which represents mostly the Gen Z age group.

Moreover, this demographic group accounted for around 82% of Americans who purchased a home for the first time in 2020.

However, Millennials were reported to be buying half as many homes in 2020.

They accounted for only 48% of homeowners or buyers in 2020. The two main reasons cited for this phenomenon was high student down and not having the 20% down payment. 

Furthermore, the average age of the American homeowner is 56. That’s roughly 23.4% of the average homeowner between 55 and 64 years old. 

Homeownership among Americans 65 years old and older is on the decline.

It’s expected that Millennials will account for the most heads of household within the next 20 years.

(Home Sprig, Statista)

What Does Ethnicity Home Ownership Look Like in America?

In 2021, Caucasians owned the most homes in America with 74.1% of that share. 

In the same year (2021), 48.4% of Latino/Hispanic Americans own their homes and only 45.2% of Black/African Americans own their own homes.

Among the Asian community, 59.9% of these Americans own their homes, while Alaskan Natives and American Indians have a share of 48.4% combined.

(Statista 2)

What Are More Facts About Homeownership in America?

Homeowners

According to known data from 2021, the median monthly home loan payment comes to $1,672. 

However, there is also data showing that the average monthly mortgage payment for a 30-year fixed mortgage is $3,048.

In terms of a 15-year fixed mortgage, that average monthly payment is $3.976. 

Looking at those payments, is it any wonder that so many Millennials can’t afford to buy a home and pay their student loan debt?

The lowest average monthly mortgage payment at $1,071 is found in West Virginia, while the highest average monthly mortgage payment of $2,639 is seen in DC.

To put these numbers in perspective, in March 2022, the median home value was $375,300. 

(Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal)

Conclusion

Overall, we’ve learned that the homeownership rate in the United States is high as it has experienced increases in recent years. 

The factors we discuss relate to how easy it is to get access to mortgage financing and the generous tax benefits homeowners get from the government. 

There are benefits and challenges associated with a high homeownership rate.

It helps the overall national economy and the local economies, but high interest rates make it difficult for new home buyers. 

However, the high homeownership rate in the US is mostly a positive thing for America.

We hope you’ve learned something valuable about American homeownership from this article and that we effectively answered the question: “How many homeowners are there in the US?

Sources

Business InsiderFRBSFHome Sprig
StatistaStatista 2Simply Insurance
The Wall Street JournalUrban InstituteUrban Institute 2