In the quest for homeownership among young Americans, a glimmer of hope emerges as a Newsweek map unveils the 12 states with the highest concentration of homeowners under the age of 34. Despite soaring mortgage rates and a nationwide scarcity of homes, opportunities abound for young buyers who cast their gaze beyond traditional hubs.
According to a report by Agent Advice, North Dakota claims the crown, boasting 4.9 percent of its populace as homeowners aged 15 to 34, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within its 215,896 total homeowners, a substantial 38,182 fall within this youthful demographic.
Following closely are Iowa and South Dakota, each with over 4 percent of their respective populations as young homeowners, painting a promising picture for aspiring property owners.
The top 12 states for young homeownership are as follows:
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North Dakota (4.9 percent)
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Iowa (4.32 percent)
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South Dakota (4.16 percent)
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Indiana (3.87 percent)
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Minnesota (3.86 percent)
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Wyoming (3.79 percent)
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Utah (3.72 percent)
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Michigan, Kansas, and Kentucky (tied at 3.61 percent)
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Nebraska (3.56 percent)
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Colorado (3.47 percent)
"It's great to see more and more young people on the property ladder across the US," commented Chris Heller, co-founder of Agent Advice. "The leading states are perhaps attracting younger homeowners due to affordable prices, job opportunities, and lifestyle preferences."
However, not all states share in this prosperity, with high-cost areas such as Hawaii, California, New York, and New Jersey seeing the lowest percentages of young homeowners. In California, for instance, a staggering annual income nearing $197,057 is required to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home, according to a recent Bankrate study.
Alan Chang, founder and president of Vested Title & Escrow, notes the logical appeal of more affordable locales for young buyers amid the fierce competition in the national housing market.
"These states are not surprising at all since home affordability has been at an all-time low," Chang remarked. "It is only logical that first-time homeowners are looking at some of the markets that rose the least in the recent years."
Alisha Penn, a real estate agent based in Detroit, highlighted the challenges faced by younger buyers, including mounting debt from student loans and a sense of uncertainty about homeownership.
Penn explained, "Desirability of states like New York, California, and Hawaii drives competition which increases prices to a point where they are out of reach for most first-time buyers."
The pandemic has further exacerbated these disparities, with remote work prompting a shift towards more affordable regions. However, as remote work arrangements evolve, the landscape may see some leveling out, albeit amid ongoing workforce dynamics.
Amidst these challenges and opportunities, the journey to homeownership for young Americans continues, with hope flickering brightly in the heartlands of affordability and opportunity.