Rural Research Notes
Shawn Poynter / There Is More Work To Be Done
Shawn Poynter / There Is More Work To Be Done
Rural Seniors and Their Homes: Research Note
Of the approximately 114 million occupied housing units in the United States, roughly 27 million, or 23 percent of all homes, are located in nonmetropolitan areas. Of these, 6 million, or 23 percent, are occupied by elderly-headed households.
An overwhelming majority of nonmetro senior households (89 percent) own their homes, compared to the nationwide homeownership rate of 67 percent for households of all ages. Whether seniors own or rent their homes is a significant factor affecting their housing and economic well being. Elderly rural renters generally face more challenges and greater needs associated with their housing than elderly rural homeowners.