What does this measure?

The number of owner-occupied units (not rented) as a percent of all occupied units (not vacant) for various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is this important?

Historically, members of some racial and ethnic groups have suffered discrimination in buying homes and accessing home mortgages. A home is a vital financial asset for a family and an investment in both the local neighborhood and surrounding community.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

White residents had the highest homeownership rates in all counties, ranging from 76% in Schoharie to 65% in Albany. These numbers are at or above the state rate of 65% and generally in line with the national rate of 72%. Asians had the next highest overall rate of homeownership in the region. Homeownership among blacks ranged from 61% in Saratoga County to 30% in Albany and Rensselaer counties compared to the state rate of 33% and national rate of 46%. Among Hispanics, all counties exceeded the state rate of 25%, and Saratoga, at 54%, was the only county to surpass the national rate of 49%.

Notes about the data

Figures are from the Census Bureau's 2005-07 American Community Survey. The bureau combined three years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data are not shown for all groups in all counties because sample sizes were too small to report reliable results.