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The 5 States With Highest Home Ownership Rates — Surprise!

Study reveals 5 states with the highest home ownership rates. Do you live on one? Would you like to? See where your next move might be.

5 States With Highest Home Ownership
Photo: Brie Odom

By Toni Gonzales

A new study reveals the five states with highest home ownership rates in the nation, and the results will just might surprise you.

It’s safe to say that the data dallies show that most Americans prefer the East Coast and the South to the West Coast, with three of the top five states coming from those areas. As a matter of fact, not one of the top five was on the West Coast. Wyoming is the only western state on the list. 
The study, conducted by Malibu real estate agents from Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate, analyzed Census data on housing units, owner occupied units and the total population of each state to discover which of the 50 states have the highest home ownership rates.
5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Journoresearch.org

5 States With Highest Home Ownership Rates

1. Maine

5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Carl Newton

Maine stands proudly and prominently at the top of the list. The northeastern state has almost 3,500 miles of coastline and yields almost 100-million pounds of lobster each year. Both are compelling reasons for Maine to be number one, in our book. Well that, and the possibility for a reasonably priced, fabulous beach house.

In all, the number of owner-occupied housing units totals 437,858.38, which then compared to the total population of 1,338,404 results in a home ownership rate of 32.71% and the top spot on the list.

Could you endure the cold, snowy winters for a crack at owning your own home? Apparently, a lot of people can.

2. West Virginia

5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Jonathan Wheeler

In second place is West Virginia. It’s known for its breathtaking, mountainous beauty in the Fall, and for numerous scenic creeks and rivers. West Virginia’s population is 1,805,832 and the number of owner-occupied housing units is 580,539 giving the state a 32.15% home ownership rate.

The state is closely matched with the third place state that is just to the north and is also known for its Fall foliage.

3. Vermont

5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Meg Jenson

Vermont and West Virginia have almost the same home ownership rate – Vermont at 32.11% compared to West Virginia’s 32.15%. This is despite the large disparity in population the two states register: in fact, West Virginia’s population is 1,805,832 and the number of owner-occupied housing units is 580,539; while in Vermont the population amounts to 626,299 and the number of owner-occupied housing units is 201,094, more than half the numbers of the former.

Homeowners in Vermont hardly have much to feel bad about though. Vermont, is home to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and some of the best maple syrup in the nation. Both compelling reasons to buy a home there.

4. Wyoming

5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Mick Haupt

Wyoming is the only state on this top five list that is not on the East Coast. Perhaps it’s the sprawling natural landscapes offered by Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons that make folks want to set down roots. Regardless of the why, it’s fair to say Wyoming boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

As the second and third place states were so close in numbers, so too are the states in the fourth and fifth positions. Wyoming has 30.30% of its residents owning a home. With a population of 577,737, Wyoming has 175,072.02 owner-occupied housing units.

5. Missouri

5 States With The Highest Home Ownership Rates
Photo: Mark Serafino

Missouri is the only state in the top five to come from the middle of the nation. Ranked in fifth place on the list, Missouri is home to The Ozarks, Mark Twain and adorable, charming houses with plenty of yard space.

Almost a third, 30.39% of Missouri’s 6,126,452 residents own a home. For those keeping score, that is just one-tenth of a percent away from Wyoming’s fourth place finish.
Study reveals 5 states with the highest home ownership rates. Do you live on one? Would you like to? See where your next move might be.