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Data on Housing Vacancy and Housing Cost from the Census

Bureau

Dr. Arthur R CresceAssistant Division Chief for Housing

CharacteristicsHousing and Household Economic

Statistics Division

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Sources of Data on Housing Vacancy and Housing Costs

• Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS)

– Official source of housing vacancy data and homeownership data

– No housing cost data

– National, regional and large metro level

– Available quarterly (with annual average report)

• American Community Survey (ACS)

– Occupancy status (occupied/vacant)

– Homeownership data

– Housing cost data

– Geographic coverage: down to tract level (5-year)

– Available annually

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Sources of Data on Housing Vacancy and Housing Costs (Cont.)

• American Housing Survey (AHS)

– Most detailed source of housing data, especially housing costs and homeownership data

– Vacancy rates controlled to CPS/HVS rates

– National and regional level

– Available every two years

• 2010 Census

– Occupancy status (occupied/vacant)

– Homeownership data

– No housing cost data

– Geographic coverage: down to block level

– Available every 10 years

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Sources of Data on Housing Vacancy and Housing Costs (Cont.)

• Survey of Income and Program Participation

– Homeownership data

– Housing cost data (mainly data on mortgages)

– Geographic coverage: national level

– Not primarily a housing survey, but very interesting source to trace change in housing tenure and mortgage status

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Important Housing Measures Reflecting Economic Conditions

• Vacancy rates (homeowner and rental)• Homeownership rates• Value of property• Selected monthly owner costs*

– Median selected monthly owner costs– Percent selected monthly owner costs of monthly

household income (housing burden)

* Sum of payment for mortgages, real estate taxes, various insurances, utilities, fuels, mobile home costs, and condominium fees.

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1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998

2001 2004 2007 Note: The data points are placed at the beginning of the respective time periods.

Source for Recession Data: National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc., 1050 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA.

Source for Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates: Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233.

Recession

Percent

Annual Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates for the United States:

1968–2008

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Quarterly Homeownership Rates and Seasonally Adjusted

Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1997–2008

Homeownership Rate

Seasonally Adjusted Homeownership Rate

Recession Percent

1Q1997 1Q1998 1Q1999 1Q2000 1Q2001 1Q2002 1Q2003 1Q2004 1Q2005 1Q2006 1Q2007 1Q2008  

Source for Recession data: National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc., 1050 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA.  Source for Homeownership Rates: Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233.

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Change in Median House value, 2006-2007, ACS data

Percent Change from 2006 to 2007under 0.000.00 to 4.004.01 to 8.008.01 or more

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Median Monthly Owner Costs for Selected States: 2006 and 2007 ACS

(Medians in 2007 dollars)

State 2007 ACS 2006 ACS

Arizona 1464* 1396*

California 2314* 2203*

Florida 1577* 1462*

Nevada 1779* 1664*

* Differences are statistically significant.

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Median Monthly Owner Costs for Selected States: 2007 and 2008 ACS

(Medians in 2008 dollars)

State 2008 ACS 2007 ACS

Arizona 1527 1512

California 2384 2395

Florida 1603* 1638*

Nevada 1818 1852

* Difference is statistically significant.

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For More Information:

• American Community Survey –

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

• Housing Data –

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing.html

• My contact information:

email: arthur.r.cresce.jr@census.gov

phone: 301-763-3188