Census Bureau Third-Quarter Housing Data: Rental Vacancy Hits 7.6 Percent, Highest Since 2014, Homeownership at 65.5 Percent
The U.S. Census Bureau released its residential vacancy and homeownership statistics for the third quarter of 2026 on October 28 (release CB26-161). The national rental vacancy rate was 7.6 percent, the highest since 2014, above the 7.3 percent rate in the second quarter of 2026 and the 7.1 percent rate in the third quarter of 2025; both increases were statistically significant.
The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2 percent, virtually the same as in the third quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026. The homeownership rate was 65.5 percent, not statistically different from 65.3 percent a year earlier or 65.0 percent in the second quarter.
By age, the homeownership rate was highest for householders aged 65 and over, at 79.1 percent, up significantly from 77.9 percent a year earlier. The rate was 36.6 percent for householders under 35, and the rate for ages 35 to 44 fell from 61.1 percent to 60.1 percent.
The total number of households rose to about 134 million, from 133.2 million a year earlier. Of roughly 149.8 million housing units, 89.4 percent were occupied; owner-occupied units made up 58.6 percent of the inventory and renter-occupied units 30.9 percent. The median asking rent for vacant-for-rent units was $1,541, and the median asking sales price for vacant-for-sale units was $353,600.
The figures come from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey and Housing Vacancy Survey, are not adjusted for seasonality, and all comparative statements have undergone statistical testing. The next release is scheduled for February 2, 2027.
Census Bureau third-quarter housing release
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 郊区住宅区航拍（资料图）。Serg Bataiev 摄，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / An aerial view of a suburban neighborhood (file photo). Photo by Serg Bataiev, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
