Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Homeownership Continues Even Among Highly Educated (2024)

Before the 2007-2009 Great Recession, homeownership among households headed by adults ages 25-34 spiked as risky lending practices greatly expanded access to mortgage credit. Soon after, the nation experienced a housing market crash and economic downturn.

Since then, lending options tightened and home prices soared. This limited young householders’ ability to own a home, driving down ownership rates which had yet to return to pre-recession levels by 2019.

Homeownership among households headed by adults ages 25 to 34 was highest from 2003 to 2007. Rates for those years, just prior to the Great Recession, ranged from 46.4% to 47.0%, according to data from the 2000-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates.

The lowest rates of homeownership among young householders occurred between 2014 and 2016. They saw a slight increase after that, but not to their high pre-recession levels.

By 2010, right after the recession ended, homeownership among young heads of household had declined to 41.3% and continued to decline to 36.8% in 2015.

The impact on the housing market of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, is not captured in this dataset.

Following the Great Recession, the financial landscape and opportunities for young adults to become homeowners shifted.

Stricter lending practices and credit standards made it difficult for young adults without a stable employment history and financial resources to buy a home.

At the same time, especially in the latter half of the most recent decade, home prices rose substantially, creating another barrier to homeownership for young buyers.

Young adults at the time were also delaying major life events such as forming their own households and getting married, typical precursors to homeownership.

Homeownership among young householders peaked in the years prior to the 2007-2009 Great Recession (Figure 1) but plunged almost 10.0 percentage points from 2007 to 2015.

The lowest rates of homeownership among young householders occurred between 2014 and 2016. They saw a slight increase after that, but not to their high pre-recession levels.

Higher levels of educational attainment are typically associated with greater economic stability, employment and full-time work, and lower levels with lower incomes and greater economic hardship.

The economic effects of higher educational attainment also tend to protect individuals during economic downturns.

According to ACS data, homeownership rates among young householders differed by educational attainment. This is largely because higher education usually results in higher earnings critical for obtaining home loans and purchasing first homes.

We reviewed estimates of homeownership rates between 2000 and 2019 among young householders by four education categories: less than a high school degree; high school degree but no college; some college or an associate degree; and a bachelor’s degree or higher (Figure 2).

In 2000, homeownership rates were most similar among householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher (47.8%), some college (46.6%), and a high school degree (44.8%). But the rate for householders with less than a high school education was approximately one-third lower than the other educational categories (31.2%).

Homeownership rates have been stratified by educational attainment throughout the first decade of the 21st century.

The rates for householders with a bachelor’s degree or at least some college peaked just before the Great Recession.

Rates for householders with at least a bachelor’s degree were highest (between 54.3% and 55.3%) from 2004 to 2007, and for householders with some college (between 46.6% and 48.3%) from 2000 to 2006. Meanwhile, rates for householders with a high school degree or less declined through the first decade of the 21st century.

Post-recession homeownership rates were lower than pre-recession rates for all education groups, but there were significant differences between education groups.

The decline in homeownership halted between:

  • 2012 and 2016 for householders with less than a high school education (19.9% to 20.8%).
  • 2016 and 2018 for those with a high school degree (30.8% to 31.4%).
  • 2013 and 2016 for those with some college (35.7% to 36.5%).
  • 2015 and 2016 for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (43.4% to 43.5%).

In 2019, young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher had the highest homeownership rate (44.0%), followed by those with some college (37.9%), a high school degree (32.3%), and less than high school (23.0%).

Homeownership rates decreased for all education levels among young householders after the recession and were still below pre-recession level highs in 2019.

The education gap in homeownership– the difference between householders with less than a high school education and those with a bachelor’s degree or higher– still existed but narrowed after the recession.

The education gap in young household homeownership was 16.6 percentage points in 2000. It increased before and during the recession, plateauing at 28.9 percentage points in 2009. It declined to 21.0 percentage points in 2019.

The nation’s young population has become increasingly diverse during the past two decades. Both younger and non-White households have historically had lower homeownership rates than older and White households.

One might expect higher education to reduce differences in homeownership by race and Hispanic origin. However, there are substantial differences even among this most highly educated group.

For example, highly educated young Black householders experienced the greatest post-recession declines in homeownership, while young and highly educated Asian householders experienced the smallest declines (Figure 3).

In 2000, over half of young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher identifying as White alone (51.8%) or non-Hispanic White (52.6%) owned homes.

In contrast, just over a third of similarly educated Hispanic (36.4%) and Black alone young householders (34.7%) owned homes. Young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher identifying as Asian alone– who experienced the smallest declines after the recession– had the lowest rates of homeownership (28.9%).

Young household homeownership rates among the more educated peaked just before or in the early days of the Great Recession for each race category and Hispanic origin.

Peak rates of homeownership for non-Hispanic White and White alone young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher were 59.3% to 60.0% and 57.7%-59.5%, respectively, followed by young Hispanic householders (50.3%), Other race (48.1%), Black alone (42.5%-43.0%), and Asian alone (39.0%-39.2%).

In 2019, only Hispanic homeownership rates had returned to their 2000 rates among more educated young householders, and no analyzed racial category had returned to the elevated homeownership rates experienced just before the recession. Less than half of young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher identifying as White alone (48.6%) or non-Hispanic White (49.6%) owned homes.

In contrast, roughly one-third of similarly educated Hispanic (36.3%) and Asian alone young householders (32.6%) owned homes. Young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher identifying as Black alone– who experienced the largest declines after the recession– had the lowest rates of homeownership (26.0%).

As the nation moves through this decade and experiences its economic challenges, we will continue to analyze the effects of educational attainment and diversity on homeownership among young householders.

Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Homeownership Continues Even Among Highly Educated (2024)

FAQs

What is the homeownership rate by race and ethnicity? ›

The homeownership rate for White Americans in 2021 was 72.7%, but the rate for Black Americans was 44%, according to NAR's analysis of the most recent data. The homeownership rate for Asian Americans was 62.8% and for Hispanic Americans it was 50.6%.

What is the racial disparity in home ownership? ›

According to Center tabulations of the American Community Survey, fully 71.7 percent of white households owned their homes in the US in 2015–2019 compared to 47.0 percent of households of color, representing a 24.6 percentage point racial homeownership gap.

Why is homeownership considered an important symbol of the American dream? ›

On average, it allows families to build wealth and serves as a measure of financial security. Homeownership rates in a variety of countries peak for households in their 60s, suggesting that owning a home helps reduce financial risk in retirement.

Why is black homeownership so low? ›

Historical discrimination through exclusionary housing policies and practices, plus a dwindling supply of housing and a variety of other factors have limited Black families from purchasing homes at the same rate as their White counterparts.

Which generation is the most racially and ethnically diverse population of homebuyers? ›

Gen Xers continue to be the most racially diverse group of buyers in 2021. Twenty-three percent of this group of buyers identified as Hispanic / Latino, Black / African American, or Asian / Pacific Islander.

Which racial ethnic group has the highest average household income? ›

In 2021, median household income varied considerably by race and ethnicity
Race/Ethnicity of Household Head2020 Median Household Income (2021 dollars)2021 Median Household Income
Asian$99,622$101,418
White, not Hispanic$78,912$77,999
Hispanic (any race)$58,015$57,981
Black$48,175$48,297
1 more row
Nov 9, 2022

Which of the following racial ethnic groups has the lowest homeownership rate? ›

Homeownership rates show that Black Americans are currently the least likely group to own homes. In 2019, the US homeownership rate was 64.6%. Among Black Americans, it was 42.1%.

What is home disparity? ›

Housing inequality is a disparity in the quality of housing in a society which is a form of economic inequality. The right to housing is recognized by many national constitutions, and the lack of adequate housing can have adverse consequences for an individual or a family.

Why is homeownership important? ›

Owning a home opens the door to investments, buying power, and improving credit, and allows families to pass that wealth on to their children who then continue to pass it on through the generations.

What does home ownership symbolize? ›

“ Owning a home is that feeling of accomplishment you have earned ownership. Not every person is able to own his or her home. Homeownership is a reward once you have strived to maintain job history and good credit standing. Like many things in life, you set a goal and can feel that you have succeeded.

What does home ownership represent? ›

The Importance of Homeownership

For many people, owning a home represents the stability, independence and freedom of reaching adulthood.

Does the American dream include homeownership? ›

Defining the American dream is personal, and no one individual will have the same definition as another. But the feelings it brings about – success, freedom, and a sense of prosperity – are universal. That's why, for many people, homeownership remains a key part of the American dream.

What city has the most Black home ownership? ›

'” Charleston and Columbia were the top city-level markets for African-American homeowners in the U.S. – 58 and 55 percent, respectively. Greenville's rate of 48 percent Black homeownership in 2021 was the most improved in the state since 2016, up by nearly 10 percent.

Where is Black homeownership highest? ›

South Carolina was the top state for Black homeownership at 52.5%, followed by Maryland at 51.7% and Mississippi at 51%. The worst state was North Dakota at 5.2%, Wyoming at 17.5% and Montana at 19.7%.

What percentage of Americans own their own home? ›

Top Home Ownership Statistics In America: 65.8% of Americans own a home as of 2022. Some 74 million Americans, or about 27%, live in a condo or HOA property. 58.4 percent of the housing units were owner-occupied.

Why is it so hard for millennials to buy a house? ›

Key Takeaways. Millennials are not buying homes as readily as the previous generation. Delaying marriage and having children is keeping many Millennials at home with their parents. Tighter lending criteria can also make homeownership unaffordable or virtually impossible for those without much credit history.

Which generation is projected to be the most ethnically and racially diverse today? ›

Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in U.S. history, with 48% of Gen Z being nonwhite, according to Pew Research Center.

Who is the largest home buyer demographic? ›

Millennials have made up the largest share of home purchase mortgage applications for the last six years.

What racial ethnic group has the highest rate of poverty in the US? ›

By race, the highest national poverty rates were for American Indians and Alaska Natives (27.0 percent) and Blacks or African Americans (25.8 percent). Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders had a national poverty rate of 17.6 percent.

Which ethnic groups are most affected by income inequality? ›

These include: White, Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Any other Asian background, Black/African/Caribbean/Black British, and Other ethnic groups.

Which race or ethnicity has the highest poverty rate? ›

While the poverty rate for the population as a whole is 11.6% the rate varies greatly by race. Blacks have the highest poverty rate at 19.5% and Non-Hispanic whites have the lowest at 8.1%. The Poverty rate for Blacks and Hispanics is more than double that of non-Hispanic Whites.

Which group has the highest percentage of homeownership? ›

Rate of home ownership in the United States in 2021, by race
CharacteristicShare of population in the U.S.
White, non-hispanic74.1%
U.S. total65.5%
Asian59.9%
American Indian or Alaskan Native55.1%
2 more rows
Jun 2, 2023

Which of the following demographic populations has seen an increase in their homeownership rate for the sixth consecutive year? ›

Despite job losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, record low housing inventory, and a restrictive credit environment, Latinos increased their homeownership rate for the sixth consecutive year.

How does race affect homeownership? ›

Homeownership. The benefits from homeownership have not been shared equally. In the second quarter of 2022, the homeownership rate for white households was 75 percent compared to 45 percent for Black households, 48 percent for Hispanic households, and 57 percent for non-Hispanic households of any other race.

What are the causes of disparity? ›

Many factors contribute to health disparities, including genetics, access to care, poor quality of care, community features (e.g., inadequate access to healthy foods, poverty, limited personal support systems and violence), environmental conditions (e.g., poor air quality), language barriers and health behaviors.

What is an example of disparity? ›

For example, disparities occur across socioeconomic status, age, geography, language, gender, disability status, citizenship status, and sexual identity and orientation. Research also suggests that disparities occur across the life course, from birth, through mid-life, and among older adults.

What are the two types of disparity? ›

The absolute disparity is a reflection of the difference between the groups of the entire population. Whereas the relative disparity tells us about the relative disparity across all groups in the population, taking into account the size of each group.

What are the 3 main benefits of home ownership? ›

Homeownership may seem like a daunting task, but the payoff is highly rewarding!
  • 1) Financial stability. In terms of both lifestyle and monetary stability, buying a home provides a new sense of reliability to first-time homeowners. ...
  • 2) Financial strength. ...
  • 3) Tax benefits. ...
  • 4) Permanent residence. ...
  • 5) Sense of community.

What are 3 benefits of owning property? ›

Pros and Cons of Owning a House
ProsCons
Stability and peace of mindMust pay annual property taxes and homeowners' insurance (if you have a mortgage)
Can usually generate equity (money) long-termComes with regular maintenance costs (for painting, mowing, edging, tree-trimming, plumbing, roof repairs, etc.)
3 more rows
Mar 12, 2023

What are the social benefits of homeownership? ›

Educational achievement; Civic participation; • Health benefits; • Crime; • Public assistance; and • Property maintenance and improvement. In general, research supports the view that homeownership brings substantial social benefits.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of owning a home? ›

Homeownership Pros and Cons At A Glance
ProsCons
Tax deductionsUpfront costs
Can help increase your credit scoreProperty taxes and other recurring fees
Privacy and control over own spaceResponsible for the work and cost of home repairs
Feeling of accomplishmentLess flexibility to move
1 more row
May 22, 2023

What two factors increase a homeowner's equity? ›

You build equity in two ways: by paying down your mortgage over time and through your home's appreciation.

What are some disadvantages of owning a home? ›

Disadvantages of owning a home
  • Costs for home maintenance and repairs can impact savings quickly.
  • Moving into a home can be costly.
  • A longer commitment will be required vs. ...
  • Mortgage payments can be higher than rental payments.
  • Property taxes will cost you extra — over and above the expense of your mortgage.

What are the factors one must consider before buying a house? ›

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, here are some of the most important things to consider when buying a home:
  • Debt-To-Income Ratio.
  • Duration of stay.
  • Job security.
  • Down payment.
  • Emotional state.
  • Local market indicators.
  • Mortgage rates.
  • Supply and demand.

Is buying a house an achievement? ›

Nearly 75% of Americans say that owning a home is a more significant measure of achievement than having a successful career or even raising a family, according to a survey from Bankrate.com of about 2,500 adults.

Should home ownership still be an important component of making it in America? ›

Homeownership has long been accepted as a core component of the American dream, as it confers several economic benefits on homeowners, including the ability to accumulate wealth by accessing credit, building equity and reducing housing costs.

Who owns most homes in America? ›

Homeowner rates by race and ethnicity

Homeownership statistics by race show that the highest rates of homeownership are held by White households. Although homeownership rates for both Asian and Hispanic homeowners are above or around 50%, respectively, the rate for Black homeownership remains lower at just above 43%.

What is the richest Black town? ›

History: View Park–Windsor Hills is one of the richest Black communities in the U.S. and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is also producer-actor Issa Rae's hometown and the inspiration for her HBO drama Insecure, about Black L.A. single life.

Why is Black homeownership so low? ›

Historical discrimination through exclusionary housing policies and practices, plus a dwindling supply of housing and a variety of other factors have limited Black families from purchasing homes at the same rate as their White counterparts.

What race owns the most real estate? ›

In 2019, the homeownership rate among white non-Hispanic Americans was 73.3%, compared to 42.1% among Black Americans. This 31.2 percentage point difference was the largest gap since the Census' time series began in 1994.

Which racial group has the lowest rates of homeownership? ›

However, the racial homeownership gap is most striking for Black households. At just 41.7 percent, Black households have the lowest homeownership rate nationally—30.0 percentage points lower than white households.

What gender buys more houses? ›

Single women own roughly 10.7 million homes, compared to 8.1 million for single men, according to a recent analysis from LendingTree that looked at 2021 Census data.

What percent of blacks own a home? ›

While the U.S. homeownership rate increased to 65.5% in 2021, the rate among Black Americans lags significantly (44%), has only increased 0.4% in the last 10 years and is nearly 29 percentage points less than White Americans (72.7%), representing the largest Black-White homeownership rate gap in a decade.

Who owns the most homes in the world? ›

Conclusion: The Catholic Church owns the most land, far more than McDonald's and billionaire Bill Gates.

How many Americans own their house free and clear? ›

A third of California homeowners own their properties free and clear. Nearly 2.4 million homeowners across the state in 2021 had no property mortgage, the third highest among the states and Washington, D.C., the Orange County Register reported.

What demographic owns the most homes? ›

Homeownership statistics by race show that the highest rates of homeownership are held by White households.

What race owns the most real estate in America? ›

In 2021, the rate of home ownership among white people living in the United States was 74.1 percent.
...
Rate of home ownership in the United States in 2021, by race.
CharacteristicShare of population in the U.S.
U.S. total65.5%
Asian59.9%
American Indian or Alaskan Native55.1%
Hispanic48.4%
2 more rows
Sep 30, 2022

What is the Hispanic homeownership rate? ›

Despite affordability challenges, the Hispanic homeownership rate reached 48.6% in 2022, the eighth consecutive year of growth.

What are the demographics of home buyers in the US? ›

Sixty-six percent of first-time homebuyers are white, 14 percent are Hispanic, 11 percent are Asian American and 9 percent are Black. Only 8 percent of homebuyers age 23 to 31 and another 8 percent age 32 to 41 report “getting a mortgage” as the most difficult step in the homebuying process.

What percentage of people own their own homes in the US? ›

In 2022, the proportion of households which are occupied by owners stood at 65.9 percent. The U.S. homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 before the 2007-2009 recession hit and decimated the housing market. The rate continued to fall until 2016, but has begun to increase again since then.

Is homeownership the largest source of wealth among families? ›

Homeownership is the largest source of wealth among families, with the median value of a primary residence worth about ten times the median value of financial assets held by families. Housing wealth (home equity or net worth) gains are built up through price appreciation and by paying off the mortgage.

Who owns the most property? ›

TOP TEN LARGEST PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
  • Emmerson family 2.411 million acres.
  • John Malone 2.2 million acres.
  • Ted Turner 2 million acres.
  • Reed family 1.661 million acres.
  • Stan Kroenke 1.627 million acres.
  • Irving family 1.267 million acres.
  • Buck family 1.236 million acres.
  • Singleton family 1.1 million acres.
Jan 9, 2023

Who owns American land? ›

Private individuals and corporations own about 60 percent of U.S. land while Federal, State, and local governments own the rest.

Why are most millionaires in real estate? ›

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

How many millionaires are millionaires because of real estate? ›

Only 3% of American millionaires received an inheritance of $1 million or above. Real estate makes up about 40% of a typical millionaire's net worth.

Do most millionaires come from real estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate. There are several reasons for this, but in today's article, we'll share seven reasons why millionaires invest in real estate.

What is the biggest cost of homeownership? ›

Indeed, the largest non-mortgage expenses for all borrowers are utilities, property taxes, and home improvement expenses. Transaction costs at purchase and sale comprise roughly 20 percent of total costs, with the broker fees at sale standing out as the largest such expense.

Are Latinos a growing force in homebuying? ›

For the last eight years, Latinos have remained the outstanding cohort, posting continuous homeownership growth throughout that period. In 2022, Hispanic homeowners added 349,000 homes to their owned properties, increasing their homeownership rate to nearly 49 percent.

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