LA’s rate of homeownership back over 50 percent

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the rate of homeownership in the Los Angeles metro area (which includes LA and Orange counties) rose considerably in the first few months of the year—enough that homeowners may once again outnumber renters in the region.

Statistics from the first quarter of 2017 indicate that 50.1 percent of homes in the area are owned by the residents who live in them. That’s the first time the region’s homeownership rate has eclipsed 50 percent since the first quarter of 2015, census data shows.

The margin of error on that figure point is 2.8 percent, so it’s possible renters still constitute a slim majority of residents in the area. But the number of homeowners has grown considerably since the third quarter of 2016, when only 44.7 percent of homes were owner-occupied.

Strong sales in recent months may have helped spur the increase. A recent report from CoreLogic indicated that the number of homes sold in LA County during the month of March was nearly 10 percent higher than the amount sold in March of 2016.

The same report also revealed that the median home price in the LA metro area has swelled to $480,000—the highest level since the Recession. Even as the prospect of new interest rate hikes drives buyers to the market, those rising prices could convince some home shoppers to stay on their lease.

In spite of the recent upswing, LA’s homeownership rate is still one of the lowest in the nation. Of the country’s 75 largest metro areas, only New York and San Jose have a higher percentage of renters.

• Los Angeles has the fourth-highest percentage of renters in the nation [Curbed LA]
• LA County home prices reach highest level in almost 10 years [Curbed LA]
• LA homes are selling in 30 days or less [Curbed LA]