The number of vacant homes for rent in the United States increased for the third year in a row in 2024, after reaching a record low in 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2024, there were approximately *** million unoccupied housing units for rent.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory Estimate: Vacant Housing Units Held Off the Market and Vacant for Other Reasons in the United States (EOTHUSQ176N) from Q2 2000 to Q2 2025 about vacancy, inventories, housing, and USA.

The homeowner vacancy rate in the United States reached its lowest value in 2022, followed by an increase in the next two years. The rate shows what share of owner-occupied housing units were vacant and for sale. That figure peaked in 2008, when nearly three percent of homes were vacant, and gradually fell below one percent after the 2020 housing boom. Homeownership is a form of living arrangement where the owner of the inhabited property, whether apartment, house, or type of real estate, lives on the premises. Due to usually high costs associated with owning a property and perceived advantages or disadvantages associated with such a long-term investment, homeownership rates differ greatly around the world, based on both cultural and economic factors. Homeownership attitude in the U.S. Individuals may have unique opportunities or inclinations to become homeowners based on nationality, age, financial status, social status, occupation, marital status, education, or even ethnicity and whether one is local-born or foreign-born. In 2024, the homeownership rate among older Americans was higher than for younger Americans. In the U.S., homeownership is generally believed to be a good investment, in terms of security (no risk of eviction) and financial aspect (owning a valuable real estate property). In 2023, there were approximately 86 million owner-occupied housing units, a stark increase compared to four decades prior. Why is homeownership sentiment low? The housing market has been suffering chronic undersupply, leading to a surge in prices and eroding affordability. In 2023, the housing affordability index plummeted, reflecting the growing challenge that homeowners face when looking for property. Insufficient income, savings, and high home prices are some of the major obstacles that come in the way of a property purchase. Though affordability varied widely across different metros, just about 15 percent of U.S. renters could afford to buy the median-priced home in their area.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory Estimate: Year-Round Vacant Housing Units in the United States (EYRVACUSQ176N) from Q2 2000 to Q2 2025 about vacancy, inventories, housing, and USA.

United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Other Reasons data was reported at 4,146.000 Unit th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,006.000 Unit th for Mar 2018. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Other Reasons data is updated quarterly, averaging 2,142.500 Unit th from Mar 1965 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 214 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,146.000 Unit th in Jun 2018 and a record low of 931.000 Unit th in Dec 1970. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Other Reasons data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.EB011: Number of Housing Units. Series Remarks1. Data for 1979 Q1 to Q4 was revised to reflect changes made in 1980.2. Data for 1989 Q1 to Q4 was revised to include year-round vacant mobile homes.3. Data for 1993 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 1990 Census.4. Data for 2002 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 2000 Census.

View quarterly updates and historical trends for US Rental Vacancy Rate. from United States. Source: Census Bureau. Track economic data with YCharts analy…

United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: For Rent data was reported at 3,343.000 Unit th in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,206.000 Unit th for Jun 2018. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: For Rent data is updated quarterly, averaging 2,802.000 Unit th from Mar 1965 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 215 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,588.000 Unit th in Sep 2009 and a record low of 1,120.000 Unit th in Dec 1969. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: For Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.EB011: Number of Housing Units. Series Remarks Data for 1979 Q1 to Q4 was revised to reflect changes made in 1980. Data for 1989 Q1 to Q4 was revised to include year-round vacant mobile homes. Data for 1993 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 1990 Census. Data for 2002 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 2000 Census.

This data collection provides information on the characteristics of a national sample of housing units, including apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes, and vacant housing units. Unlike previous years, the data are presented in nine separate parts: Part 1, Work Done Record (Replacement or Additions to the House), Part 2, Housing Unit Record (Main Record), Part 3, Worker Record, Part 4, Mortgages (Owners Only), Part 5, Manager and Owner Record (Renters Only), Part 6, Person Record, Part 7, Mover Group Record, Part 8, Recodes (One Record per Housing Unit), and Part 9, Weights. Data include year the structure was built, type and number of living quarters, occupancy status, access, number of rooms, presence of commercial establishments on the property, and property value. Additional data focus on kitchen and plumbing facilities, types of heating fuel used, source of water, sewage disposal, heating and air-conditioning equipment, and major additions, alterations, or repairs to the property. Information provided on housing expenses includes monthly mortgage or rent payments, cost of services such as utilities, garbage collection, and property insurance, and amount of real estate taxes paid in the previous year. Also included is information on whether the household received government assistance to help pay heating or cooling costs or for other energy-related services. Similar data are provided for housing units previously occupied by respondents who had recently moved. Additionally, indicators of housing and neighborhood quality are supplied. Housing quality variables include privacy of bedrooms, condition of kitchen facilities, basement or roof leakage, breakdowns of plumbing facilities and equipment, and overall opinion of the structure. For quality of neighborhood, variables include use of exterminator services, existence of boarded-up buildings, and overall quality of the neighborhood. In addition to housing characteristics, some demographic data are provided on household members, such as age, sex, race, marital status, income, and relationship to householder. Additional data provided on the householder include years of school completed, Spanish origin, length of residence, and length of occupancy. (Source: downloaded from ICPSR 7/13/10)

Please Note: This dataset is part of the historical CISER Data Archive Collection and is also available at ICPSR -- https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR02912.v2. We highly recommend using the ICPSR version as they made this dataset available in multiple data formats.

The AHS is the largest, regular national housing sample survey in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the AHS to obtain up-to-date housing statistics for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The AHS contains a wealth of information that can be used by professionals in nearly every field for planning, decisionmaking, market research, or various kinds of program development. It gives you data on apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes, vacant homes, family composition, income, housing and neighborhood quality, housing costs, equipment, fuels, size of housing unit, and recent movers.

Revenue for apartment lessors has expanded through the end of 2025. Apartment lessors collect rental income from rental properties, where market forces largely determine their rates. The supply of apartment rentals has grown more slowly than demand, which has elevated rental rates for lessors' benefit. As the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates 11 times between March 2022 and January 2024, homeownership was pushed beyond the reach of many, resulting in a tighter supply and increased demand for rental properties. Despite three interest rate cuts in 2024, mortgage rates have remained stubbornly high in 2025, encouraging consumers to rent. Revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 2.6% over the past five years and is expected to reach $295.3 billion by the end of 2025. This includes an anticipated 1.4% gain in 2025 alone. The increasing unaffordability of housing is caused by the steady climb of mortgage rates and high prices maintained by a low supply. Supply has been held down as buyers who locked in low rates stay put, and investment groups hold a strategic number of their properties empty as investments. Industry profit has remained elevated because of solid demand for apartment rentals. Through the end of 2030, the apartment rental industry's future performance will be shaped by varying factors. The apartment supply in the US, which hit a record in 2024, is expected to taper off, which will push rental prices and occupancy rates up to the lessors' benefit. Other factors, such as interest rate cuts, decreasing financial barriers to homeownership and a high rate of urbanization, will also significantly impact the industry. With an estimated 80.7% of the US population living in urban areas, demand for apartment rentals will strengthen, although rising rental prices could force potential renters to cheaper suburbs. Demand will continue to outpace supply growth, prompting a climb in revenue. Revenue is expected to swell at a CAGR of 1.7% over the next five years, reaching an estimated $321.9 billion in 2030.

The residential vacancy rate is the percentage of residential units that are unoccupied, or vacant, in a given year. The U.S. Census Bureau defines occupied housing units as “owner-occupied” or “renter-occupied.” Vacant housing units are not classified by tenure in this way, as they are not occupied by an owner or renter.

The residential vacancy rate serves as an indicator of the condition of the area’s housing market. Low residential vacancy rates indicate that demand for housing is high compared to the housing supply. However, the aggregate residential vacancy rate is lacking in granularity. For example, the housing market for rental units in the area and the market for buying a unit in the same area may be very different, and the aggregate rate will not show those distinct conditions. Furthermore, the vacancy rate may be high, or low, for a variety of reasons. A high vacancy rate may result from a falling population, but it may also result from a recent construction spree that added many units to the total stock.

The residential vacancy rate in Champaign County appears to have fluctuated between 8% and 14% from 2005 through 2022, reaching a peak near 14% in 2019. In 2023, this rate dropped to about 7%, its lowest value since 2005. However, this rate was calculated using the American Community Survey’s (ACS) estimated number of vacant houses per year, which has year-to-year fluctuations that are largely not statistically significant. Thus, we cannot establish a trend for this data.

The residential vacancy rate data shown here was calculated using the estimated total housing units and estimated vacant housing units from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, which are released annually.

As with any datasets that are estimates rather than exact counts, it is important to take into account the margins of error (listed in the column beside each figure) when drawing conclusions from the data.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data in 2020. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. The Census Bureau states that the 2020 ACS 1-year experimental tables use an experimental estimation methodology and should not be compared with other ACS data. For these reasons, and because data is not available for Champaign County, no data for 2020 is included in this Indicator.

For interested data users, the 2020 ACS 1-Year Experimental data release includes a dataset on Occupancy Status.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (17 October 2024).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (25 September 2023).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (4 October 2022).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (8 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (8 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (14 September 2017).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002, generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (19 September 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table SB25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2007 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2005 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B25002; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).

United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Held Off Market data was reported at 7,467.000 Unit th in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,548.000 Unit th for Jun 2018. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Held Off Market data is updated quarterly, averaging 4,691.000 Unit th from Mar 1965 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 215 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,700.000 Unit th in Jun 2014 and a record low of 1,764.000 Unit th in Jun 1965. United States Number of Housing Unit: Vacant: Year Round: Held Off Market data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.EB011: Number of Housing Units. Series Remarks Data for 1979 Q1 to Q4 was revised to reflect changes made in 1980. Data for 1989 Q1 to Q4 was revised to include year-round vacant mobile homes. Data for 1993 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 1990 Census. Data for 2002 Q1 to Q4 was revised based on the 2000 Census.

The AHS is the largest, regular national housing sample survey in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the AHS to obtain up-to-date housing statistics for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The most recent AHS was conducted in 2013 and the next AHS will be conducted in 2015. The AHS national survey was conducted annually from 1973-1981 and biennially (every two years) from 1983 - 2015. Metropolitan area surveys have been conducted annually or biennially since 1974.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States (RRVRUSQ156N) from Q1 1956 to Q2 2025 about vacancy, rent, rate, and USA.

The layer was compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 Planning Database (PDB), a database that assembles a range of housing, demographic, socioeconomic, and census operational data. The data is from the 2012 – 2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. The purpose of the data is for 2020 Census planning purposes.

Source: 2018 PDB, U.S. Census Bureau

Effective Date: June 2018

Last Update: January 2020

Update Cycle: Generally, annually as needed. 2018 PDB is vintage used for 2020 Census planning purposes by Nation and County.

United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data was reported at 6.800 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.000 % for Mar 2018. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.400 % from Mar 1956 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 250 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.100 % in Sep 2009 and a record low of 5.000 % in Dec 1981. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.EB008: Housing Vacancy and Home Ownership Rate.

U.S. Vacant Rental Homes - Historical chart and current data through 2025.

The number of U.S. housing units that were available for sale has decreased for 13 consecutive years since it peaked in 2010. In 2023, there were approximately 701,000 vacant housing units for sale.

The 2015 American Housing Survey marks the first release of a newly integrated national sample and independent metropolitan area samples. The 2015 release features many variable name revisions, as well as the integration of an AHS Codebook Interactive Tool available on the U.S. Census Bureau Web site. This data collection provides information on representative samples of each of the 15 largest metropolitan areas across the United States, which are also included in the integrated national sample (available as ICPSR 36801). The metropolitan area sample also features representative samples of 10 additional metropolitan areas that are not present in the national sample. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau intend to survey the 15 largest metropolitan areas once every 2 years. To ensure the sample was representative of all housing units within each metro area, the U.S. Census Bureau stratified all housing units into one of the following categories: (1) A HUD-assisted unit (as of 2013); (2) Trailer or mobile home; (3) Owner-occupied and one unit in structure; (4) Owner-occupied and two or more units in structure; (5) Renter-occupied and one unit in structure; (6) Renter-occupied and two or more units in structure; (7) Vacant and one unit in structure; (8) Vacant and two or more units in structure; and (9) Other units, such as houseboats and recreational vehicles. The data are presented in three separate parts: Part 1, Household Record (Main Record); Part 2, Person Record; and Part 3, Project Record. Household Record data includes questions about household occupancy and tenure, household exterior and interior structural features, household equipment and appliances, housing problems, housing costs, home improvement, neighborhood features, recent moving information, income, and basic demographic information. The Household Record data also features four rotating topical modules: Arts and Culture, Food Security, Housing Counseling, and Healthy Homes. Person Record data includes questions about personal disabilities, income, and basic demographic information. Finally, Project Record data includes questions about home improvement projects. Specific questions were asked about the types of projects, costs, funding sources, and year of completion.

The metropolitan survey is conducted in even-numbered years, cycling through a set of 41 metropolitan areas, surveying each one about once every six years. This data collection provides information on the characteristics of a metropolitan sample of housing units including apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes, and vacant housing units. The data are presented in eight separate parts: Part 1, Housing Unit Record (Main Record), Part 2, Mortgages (Owners Only), Part 3, Manager and Owner Record (Renters Only), Part 4, Person Record, Part 5, Ratio Verification, Part 6, Mover Group Record, Part 7, Recodes (One Record per Housing Unit), and Part 8, Weights. Data include year the structure was built, type and number of living quarters, occupancy status, access, number of rooms, presence of commercial establishments on the property, and property value. Additional data focus on kitchen and plumbing facilities, types of heating fuel used, source of water, sewage disposal, heating and air-conditioning equipment, and major additions, alterations, or repairs to the property. Information provided on housing expenses includes monthly mortgage or rent payments, cost of services such as utilities, garbage collection, and property insurance, and amount of real estate taxes paid in the previous year. Also included is information on whether the household received government assistance to help pay heating or cooling costs or for other energy-related services. Similar data are provided for housing units previously occupied by respondents who had recently moved. Additionally, indicators of housing and neighborhood quality are supplied. Housing quality variables include privacy of bedrooms, condition of kitchen facilities, basement or roof leakage, breakdowns of plumbing facilities and equipment, and overall opinion of the structure. For quality of neighborhood, variables include use of exterminator services, existence of boarded-up buildings, and overall quality of the neighborhood. In addition to housing characteristics, some demographic data are provided on household members, such as age, sex, race, marital status, income, and relationship to householder. Additional data provided on the householder include years of school completed, Spanish origin, length of residence, and length of occupancy. (Source: ICPSR, retrieved 06/28/2011)