Home Ownership

February 10, 2009

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Profile America for the 10th day of Black History Month. Even with the recent disturbing developments in the housing and mortgage industries, the American dream is still defined by many as owning your own home. Across the U.S., just shy of 69 percent of householders own their homes, a rate that has been growing slowly over the years. Among the 50 states, the highest percentage of home ownership is in West Virginia, at more than 77 percent, while the lowest rate is in New York, at less than 56 percent. Nationally, 46 percent of African-Americans live in their own homes. In Mississippi, the rate is almost 60 percent. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 951
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html
Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB09-FF.01
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013007.html