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Washington: Total housing units

The 2010-2014 data come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.  They are based on averages of data collected in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. These estimates cannot be used to say what is going on in any particular year in the period, only what the average value is over the full period.  The Census Bureau's American Factfinder provides 3-year estimates for counties with at least 20,000 people, and 1-year estimates for counties with at least 65,000 people.  We use 5-year estimates because they are available for all counties and allow comparison to other counties within the region.

The Census Bureau defines a housing unit as a house, an apartment, a mobile home or trailer, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied as separate living quarters (or if vacant, intended as separate living quarters).  Housing units are classified as being occupied - either by owners or renters - or vacant.
 

In Washington . . .

  • the number of housing units increased by 20.3 percent from 1980 to 1990; increased by 20.6 percent from 1990 to 2000; and increased by 17.7 percent from 2000 to 2010;

  • in 2010-2014, 57.3 percent of all housing units were owner occupied, 33.4 percent were occupied by renters, and 9.3 percent were vacant.
 

To get the most out of this indicator . . .

 

Ask questions:

 

·         How quickly is the local housing stock growing?

·         What percent of local housing is owner-occupied versus renter-occupied?

 

Look at other indicators:

 

·         “Population: Population” – Is housing growth keeping up with population growth?

·         “Housing/Rent Burden: Affordable housing” – Is local housing affordable?

 

Dig deeper:

 

·         Look at the county rankings for your state and/or view maps to see how your county compares to others.

·         The U.S. Census Bureau provides monthly data on the number of building permits issued for privately-owned residential housing units.  See http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml.

·         Take a Big Picture view of your county.

·         If you have specific questions, send us an e-mail.





Source: 1980: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, USA Counties, (http://censtats.census.gov/usa/usa.shtml);
1990, 2000, 2010: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, (http://factfinder2.census.gov/);
2010-2014: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey, American Factfinder, (http://factfinder2.census.gov); DATE LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2015.

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