These states gained (or lost) the most homeowners since 2019

A study from New Jersey Real Estate Network revealed that some states are seeing large increases in homeownership rates, while others are seeing decreases. The study analyzed U.S. Census data from 2019 to 2024 on the percentage of homeowners in each state to identify which states experienced the highest rise and fall in rates. 

Over these five years, the percentage of homeowners increased the most in Connecticut, at 13.71%. Homeownership in Connecticut is currently at its highest within that timeline, at 70.5%, compared to 62% in 2019. Other top states include Nevada and Virginia.

Rhode Island saw the largest decrease in home ownership between 2019 and 2024, with a drop of 10.06%. Homeownership in Rhode Island was at its highest in 2019, at 65.6%, and now sits at 59%. Other states with large decreases include Oklahoma and Kansas.

Read more: Rising rates throw cold water on home price growth 

"It's notable that homeownership has increased in certain states over the past decade, even amid broader economic challenges," a spokesperson for New Jersey Real Estate Network said in a release. "In seven states, including Connecticut, Virginia, and Illinois, homeownership has reached its highest level since 2019. Other states experienced peak homeownership rates in 2020, followed by slight decreases in recent years. These changes may reflect various factors, including shifts in housing markets and affordability trends, as individuals continue to navigate evolving financial landscapes." 

Read more about the states with the largest increase and decrease in homeownership.

States with the largest increase in homeownership

Rank State Percentage increase in
homeownership from
2019 to 2024
1
Connecticut
13.71%
2
Nevada
10.39%
3
Virginia
8.96%
4
Illinois
8.83%
5
Wisconsin
7.54%
6
Florida
7.13%
7
Delaware
5.83%
8
Maine
5.58%
9
West Virginia
5.38%
10
Massachusetts
5.14%

States with the largest decrease in homeownership

Rank State Percentage decrease in
homeownership from
2019 to 2024
10
Utah
-0.99%
9
Hawaii
-1.82%
8
New Hampshire
-3.16%
7
South Carolina
-3.73%
6
Kentucky
-3.87%
5
Oregon
-4.26%
4
North Carolina
-4.65%
3
Kansas
-5.19%
2
Oklahoma
-5.64%
1
Rhode Island
-10.06%

States with the largest increase in homeownership


Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Massachusetts ranks 10th.
Massachusetts ranked 10th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where West Virginia ranks 9th.
West Virginia ranked 9th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Maine ranks 8th.
Maine ranked 8th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Delaware ranks 7th.
Delaware ranked 7th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Florida ranks 6th.
Florida ranked 6th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Wisconsin ranks 5th.
Wisconsin ranked 5th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Illinois ranks 4th.
Illinois ranked 4th in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Virginia ranks 3rd.
Virginia ranked 3rd in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Nevada ranks 2nd.
Nevada ranked 2nd in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Connecticut ranks 1st.
Connecticut ranked 1st in states with the largest increase in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.

States with the largest decrease in homeownership


Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Utah ranks 10th.
Utah ranked 10th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Hawai ranks 9th.
Hawaii ranked 9th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where New Hampshire ranks 8th.
New Hampshire ranked 8th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where South Carolina ranks 7th.
South Carolina ranked 7th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Kentucky ranks 6th.
Kentucky ranked 6th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Oregon ranks 5th.
Oregon ranked 5th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where North Carolina ranks 4th.
North Carolina ranked 4th in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Kansas ranks 3rd.
Kansas ranked 3rd in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Oklahoma ranks 2nd.
Oklahoma ranked 2nd in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
Chart showing states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024, where Rhode Island ranks 1st.
Rhode Island ranked 1st in states with the largest decrease in homeownership between 2019 and 2024.
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