How Old is Today's Housing Stock?

Currently, new home construction faces headwinds such as rising material costs, a persistent labor shortage, and elevated interest rates. These challenges have contributed to an insufficient supply of new construction, making the nation’s owner-occupied housing stock significantly older over time.

Nearly Half of Homes Were Built Before 1980

From 2020 to 2024, new construction added nearly 3.6 million owner-occupied homes, accounting for only 4% of total owner-occupied housing stock as of 2024. Relatively newer homes built between 2010 and 2019 made up around 9% of the stock, while those constructed between 2000 and 2009 constituted 15%.

In contrast, around 47% of the owner-occupied homes were built before 1980, including around 34% built before 1970.

Median Age of Homes Rises

The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years old in 2024, up from 31 in 2005 according to the latest data from the American Community Survey.

The share of relatively newer owner-occupied homes (those built within the past 14 years) has declined greatly, from 18% in 2014 to only 13% in 2024. Meanwhile, the share of older homes that are at least 45 years old has increased significantly, rising from 39% in 2014 to 47% in 2024.

This shift further reflects the ever-aging stock of homes in the U.S., highlighting the growing opportunities within the remodeling sector to address the needs of home owners.

See more data in this Eye on Housing post.