Data from the latest American Community Survey from the US Census shows that people 65 and older own 34.1% of all owner-occupied housing units in the US. The Census also found that the same group — an estimated 61.2 million people — has a homeownership rate of 78.6%.
“Given the outsized share of homes occupied by baby boomers, the release of this housing stock will have a significant effect on housing markets,” the report said. “However, the effect across regional markets will vary greatly depending on the prevalence of aging householders, migration patterns, and the severity of affordability constraints.”
Save for Barnstable, Massachusetts, every metro listed is in a warm area. So if you’re looking to buy a home in one of these areas, prepare to live next door to someone of retirement age. Read on to see what areas are packed with older homeowners.
Population and median age were cited from Census Reporter, an independent website that uses data from the American Community Survey.
15. Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ metro area
Douglas, Arizona.
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Share of households 65 and older: 41.0%
Population: 125,773
Median age: 42.8
14. Port St. Lucie, FL metro area
Port St. Lucie, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 41.0%
Population: 556,336
Median age: 47.4
13. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL metro area
Fort Myers, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 41.9%
Population: 860,959
Median age: 48.4
12. Santa Fe, NM metro area
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Share of households 65 and older: 42.7%
Population: 157,765
Median age: 49.3
11. Ocala, FL metro area
Ocala, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 44.6%
Population: 428,905
Median age: 47.3
10. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area
Sarasota, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 46.1%
Population: 934,956
Median age: 53.7
9. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ metro area
Lake Havasu, Arizona.
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Share of households 65 and older: 46.3%
Population: 226,479
Median age: 54.2
8. Sebring, FL metro area
Sebring, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 46.6%
Population: 109,778
Median age: 54.2
7. Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro area
Prescott Valley, Arizona.
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Share of households 65 and older: 48.0%
Population: 252,013
Median age: 55.3
6. Barnstable Town, MA metro area
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Share of households 65 and older: 48.4%
Population: 232,570
Median age: 56.1
5. Naples-Marco Island, FL metro area
Naples, Florida.
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Share of households 65 and older: 49.0%
Population: 416,233
Median age: 53.6
4. Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL metro area