(Source: Census Bureau) - These statistics provide vacancy rates, homeownership rates and characteristics of units available for occupancy for the U.S., regions, states and the 75 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Data for all geographies are available both quarterly and annually. Homeownership rates are also tabulated by age of householder for the U.S. and regions and by race and ethnicity of householder, by family status and by median family income for the U.S. In addition, estimates of the total housing inventory and percent distributions of vacant for-rent and for-sale-only units are available for the U.S. and regions. This information is used by public and private sector organizations to evaluate the need for new housing programs and initiatives. The rental vacancy rate is a component of the index of leading economic indicators and thereby used by the government and economic forecasters to gauge the economic climate. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/>.
