Short Answer
Source & Data Date
The primary source for this article is the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically the National, State, and County Housing Unit Totals: 2020-2025 release and the QuickFacts housing units chart for July 1, 2025. National housing stock and homeownership figures are from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey as summarized by HomeSnacks. State population estimates are from the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program. Data were accessed on September 10, 2026.
FAQ
What does housing units per capita measure?
Housing units per capita measures the total number of housing units in a state divided by the state's total population, usually expressed per 1,000 residents. It shows how much physical housing exists relative to the number of people, including vacant and seasonal units.
Which state has the most housing units per person in 2025?
Maine has the highest housing units per capita among the 40 states with available QuickFacts data, at 549.1 housing units per 1,000 residents. West Virginia and Wisconsin rank second and third.
Why do some states have more housing units per capita than others?
States with high ratios often have older housing stock, slow population growth, or large numbers of vacation and seasonal homes. States with low ratios tend to have rapid population growth, strict land-use regulations, or high construction costs that limit new housing supply.
How is housing units per capita calculated?
The formula is: (Total housing units ÷ Total population) × 1,000. For this analysis, the numerator is the July 1, 2025 housing unit estimate and the denominator is the most recent available state population estimate.
What is the difference between housing units and households?
A housing unit is a physical structure or part of a structure intended for occupancy. A household is the person or group of people who occupy a housing unit. There are more housing units than households because some units are vacant, seasonal, or second homes.
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