About 36 percent of homeowners in England were aged 65 and above, which contrasts sharply with younger age groups, particularly those under 35. Young adults between 25 and 35, made up 15 percent of homeowners and had a dramatically lower homeownership rate. The disparity highlights the growing challenges faced by younger generations in entering the property market, a trend that has significant implications for wealth distribution and social mobility. Barriers to homeownership for young adults The path to homeownership has become increasingly difficult for young adults in the UK. A 2023 survey revealed that mortgage affordability was the greatest obstacle to property purchase. This represents a 39 percent increase from 2021, reflecting the impact of rising house prices and mortgage rates. Despite these challenges, one in three young adults still aspire to get on the property ladder as soon as possible, though many have put their plans on hold. The need for additional financial support from family, friends, and lenders has become more prevalent, with one in five young adults acknowledging this necessity. Regional disparities and housing supply The housing market in England faces regional challenges, with North West England and the West Midlands experiencing the largest mismatch between housing supply and demand in 2023. This imbalance is evident in the discrepancy between new homes added to the housing stock and the number of new households formed. London, despite showing signs of housing shortage, has seen the largest difference between homes built and households formed. The construction of new homes has been volatile, with a significant drop in 2020, a rebound in 2021 and a gradual decline until 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Percent Homeowner by Age: from Age 25 to 34 (CXUHOMEOWNLB0403M) from 1990 to 2023 about consumer unit, age, homeownership, 25 years +, percent, and USA.

The homeownership rate was the highest among Americans in their early 70s and the lowest among people in their early 20s in 2024. In that year, approximately **** percent of individuals aged 70 to 74 resided in a residence they owned, compared to approximately ** percent among individuals under the age of 25. On average, **** percent of Americans lived in an owner-occupied home. The homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 but has since declined.

Graph and download economic data for Homeownership Rate in the United States (RSAHORUSQ156S) from Q1 1980 to Q2 2025 about housing, rate, and USA.

The homeownership rate in the United States declined slightly in 2023 and remained stable in 2024. The U.S. homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 before the 2007-2009 recession hit and decimated the housing market. In 2024, the proportion of households occupied by owners stood at **** percent in 2024, *** percentage points below 2004 levels. Homeownership since the recession The rate of homeownership in the U.S. fell in the lead up to the recession and continued to do so until 2016. Despite this trend, the share of Americans who perceived homeownership as part of their personal American dream remained relatively stable. This suggests that the financial hardship caused by the recession led to the fall in homeownership, rather than a change in opinion about the importance of homeownership itself. What the future holds for homeownership Homeownership trends vary from generation to generation. Homeownership among Americans over 65 years old is declining, whereas most Millennial renters plan to buy a home in the near future. This suggests that homeownership will remain important in the future, as Millennials are forecast to head most households over the next two decades.

Home Ownership Rate in the United States decreased to 65.10 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 65.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The distribution of all owner-occupier households in England in 2024 varied per age group, as well as the type of home financing. The older the age group, the larger the share of owner-occupier homeowners who purchased their home outright. A share of 2.1 percent of own outright homeowners were between the ages of 25 to 34, whereas a share of 62.1 percent of own outright homeowners were aged 65 and over. Although this is the case, the largest share of homeowners who purchased their house with a mortgage was in the age range of 35 to 44 years old.

70% of White British households owned their own homes – the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups.

Home Ownership Rate in the United Kingdom decreased to 64.50 percent in 2023 from 64.70 percent in 2022. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In the presented European countries, the homeownership rate extended from 42.6 percent in Switzerland to as much as 95.9 percent in Albania. Countries with more mature rental markets, such as France, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland, tended to have a lower homeownership rate compared to the frontier countries, such as Lithuania or Slovakia. The share of house owners among the population of all 20 euro area countries stood at 64.5 percent in 2024. Average cost of housing Countries with lower homeownership rates tend to have higher house prices. In 2024, the average transaction price for a house was notably higher in Western and Northern Europe than in Eastern and Southern Europe. In Austria, one of the most expensive European countries to buy a new dwelling in, the average price was three times higher than in Greece. Looking at house price growth, however, the most expensive markets recorded slower house price growth compared to the mid-priced markets. Housing supply With population numbers rising across Europe, the need for affordable housing continues. In 2024, European countries completed between one and six housing units per 1,000 citizens, with Ireland, Poland, and Denmark responsible for heading the ranking. One of the major challenges for supplying the market with more affordable homes is the rising construction costs. In 2021 and 2022, housing construction costs escalated dramatically due to soaring inflation, which has had a significant effect on new supply.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Percent Homeowner without Mortgage by Deciles of Income Before Taxes: Third 10 Percent (21st to 30th Percentile) (CXU980240LB1504M) from 2014 to 2023 about consumer unit, homeownership, percentile, mortgage, tax, percent, income, and USA.

Home Ownership Rate in Canada decreased to 66.70 percent in 2023 from 69.30 percent in 2021. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Canada Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Home Ownership Rate in Germany decreased to 47.20 percent in 2024 from 47.60 percent in 2023. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Germany Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Surveyed in 2022 about several statements regarding the role of the company in housing and home ownership, ** percent of French people aged between 25 and 40 years old (** percent among the 30-34) felt that it was increasingly difficult to become a homeowner. ***percent believed their employer should help employees become homeowners, and almost ********** indicated that they would be ready to change companies if they were offered assistance to become homeowners. Support for this last statement was higher among younger people (** percent of 25-34 year olds) than among French people between 35 and 40 years old (** percent).

According to a November 2024 survey, the high cost of living is the leading reason preventing U.S. homeowners from pursuing homeownership. Other factors standing in the way of becoming a homeowner included having sufficient savings for a down payment (** percent) and enough income (** percent). In 2024, the homeownership rate in the U.S. was nearly ** percent.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Percent Homeowner with Mortgage by Deciles of Income Before Taxes: Third 10 Percent (21st to 30th Percentile) (CXU980230LB1504M) from 2014 to 2023 about consumer unit, homeownership, percentile, mortgage, tax, percent, income, and USA.

2020 data points are the average of 2019 and 2021 data points and are included solely to maintain chart continuity. The U.S. Census Bureau did not release 2020 ACS 1-year estimates due to COVID-19. These figures should not be interpreted as an actual estimate for 2020. Some racial and ethnic categories are suppressed to avoid misleading estimates when the relative standard error exceeds 30%.

Data Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates

Why This Matters

Homeownership has historically been an important source of intergenerational wealth. For many, homeownership can provide financial and housing security.Rising home prices over the past two decades have outpaced wage growth, perpetuating significant racial disparities in homeownership rates and contributing to the displacement of Black residents and other people of color from the District.

A history of redlining and racist real estate practices, like racial covenants, barred Black and other people of color from homeownership.

The District's Response

Convening of the Black Homeownership Strikeforce to address past harms and increase equitable homeownership rates through targeted, evidence-based recommendations, and setting the goal of creating 20,000 new Black homeowners by 2030.

Programs to enable homeowning families and individuals to remain in their homes, including the Homestead Deduction and Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief and the Heir Property Assistance Program.

Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Affordable Housing Program and financial assistance programs like the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAHP), and Negotiated Employee Assistance Home Purchase Program (NEAHP) to support homeownership among District residents.

When asked which factor was more important when it came to purchasing their homes among homeowners in their 30s, more than ** percent of respondents answered that the actual residence was more important than investment benefits in their purchase. According to the source, around half of all survey respondents believed that homeownership was important even in the cases of increased property taxes and interest rates.

Home Ownership Rate in Netherlands decreased to 68.80 percent in 2024 from 69.30 percent in 2023. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Netherlands Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.