Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership Report Released for Q1 of 2022

The U.S. Census Bureau today (4-27-22) announced the results of its Residential Vacancies and Homeownership statistical survey for 2022 Q1.

According to the report, the national vacancy rate in Q1 was 5.8% for rental housing. The rental vacancy rate was -1.0% points lower than the rate in Q1 of 2021 (6.8%). It was also not statistically different from the rate in 2021 Q4, when it was at 5.6%.

The homeowner vacancy rate of 0.8% was -0.1% points lower than the rate in 2021 Q1 (0.9%). This is not statistically different from the rate in 2021 Q4 (0.9%).

The homeownership rate of 65.4% was not statistically different from the 65.6% rate in 2021, nor the 65.5% rate in 2021 Q4.

According to the report, approximately 89.4% of the housing units in the United States in 2022 Q1 were occupied, and 10.6% percent were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 58.5% of total housing units, while renter-occupied units made up 30.9% of the inventory.

Vacant year-round units comprised 7.9% of total housing units, while 2.7% were vacant for seasonal use. Approximately 1.9% the total units were vacant for rent, 0.5% were vacant for sale only, and 0.7% were rented or sold but not yet occupied. Vacant units that were held off market comprised 4.9% of the total housing stock; 1.5% were for occasional use, 0.8% were temporarily occupied by persons with usual residence elsewhere (URE), and 2.6% were vacant for a variety of other reasons.