United States: housing

What is the homeownership rate in the US?

The US homeownership rate was 65.0% in the second quarter of 2026, virtually the same as a year earlier and not statistically different from 65.3% in the first quarter, according to the Census Bureau's Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership release of 28 July 2026.

The rate is the share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied, from the Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey. Quarterly changes are often within the margin of error, so the Census Bureau notes when differences are not statistically significant. Rates differ widely by age group and region; the release includes tables by both.

Official sources: Census Bureau: Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, current release

What is the rental vacancy rate in the US?

The national rental vacancy rate was 7.3% in the second quarter of 2026, and the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%, according to the Census Bureau's Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership release. The rental rate was not statistically different from 7.0% a year earlier.

The rental vacancy rate is the share of rental homes that are vacant and available for rent. A higher rate usually means more choice for renters. The figures come from a sample survey and carry margins of error, and they cover the whole country, so local rental markets can look very different. The next quarterly release is listed on the Census Bureau's economic indicator calendar.

Official sources: Census Bureau: Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, current release

How many houses are being built in the US?

Privately owned housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,275,000 in August 2026, 2.6% below July and 1.2% below August 2025, according to the Census Bureau and HUD New Residential Construction release of 17 September 2026. Single-family starts were at a rate of 918,000. Building permits were at a rate of 1,394,000, and completions 1,128,000.

The annual rate shows what a full year would look like if the month's pace continued. Monthly changes often fall within the margin of error shown in brackets in the release, such as plus or minus 12.0% for the August change in starts. Permits are usually read as a guide to future starts.

Official sources: Census Bureau: New Residential Construction, current release

How many new homes are sold in the US and at what price?

Sales of new single-family houses were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000 in August 2026, 6.4% above July and 2.0% below August 2025, according to the Census Bureau and HUD New Residential Sales release of 24 September 2026. The median sales price of new houses sold was $393,700, 5.8% below the August 2025 median of $417,900.

These figures cover newly built homes only, which are a minority of all sales; existing-home sales are not published by a federal agency. A sale is counted when a contract is signed or a deposit taken. Monthly changes are often within the margin of error, and the median price shifts with the mix of homes sold.

Official sources: Census Bureau: New Residential Sales, current release

How many people are homeless in the US?

745,652 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2025, a 3% decrease from the record in 2024, according to HUD's 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, Part 1, published in May 2026. About 56% were in emergency shelters, 8% in transitional housing and nearly 36% in unsheltered locations such as streets and cars.

The count is a point-in-time estimate made by local Continuums of Care in the last 10 days of January. HUD notes that unsheltered counts depend on local methods and weather, and the actual number of unsheltered people could be larger than reported. The report also gives figures by state and for families, veterans and young people.

Official sources: HUD User: 2025 AHAR Part 1, PIT Estimates of Homelessness · 2025 AHAR Part 1 (PDF)

What is the United States' urbanisation rate?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in the United States was 80.2%, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 80.7%; its low point was 2020, at 80.0%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 41st highest.

What share of the United States' city dwellers live in slums?

0.1%: that is the share of city dwellers living in slums in the United States for 2022, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 145th highest.

How many people in the United States have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in the United States was 100.0% in 2024. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What is access to safe water in the United States?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in the United States at 97.6% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 134.

How many people in the United States have a safe toilet?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 97.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 17th highest.

What share of homes in the United States cook with clean fuels?

100.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in the United States for 2024, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.