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Homeownership Among Single Women Rising

In a blog post by First American, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi said that single women are playing a large role in the rising homeownership levels since 2016.

The homeownership rate for single women (including widowed, separated, or divorced) was 2.2% higher than single men, according to new data. Also, a 2018 report by Bank of American found that single women prioritize owning a home more than single males (73% vs. 65%).

Single women are also prioritizing homeownership over getting married (41%) and having children (31%)

The overall homeownership following the Great Recession hit a low of 63% in 2016 but has since rebounded to 65% in 2019.

Kushi added that the single-female homeownership rate has followed the national homeownership rate, increasing in the early 2000s and peaking in 2005, then falling after the recession.

According to First American data, the homeownership rate for single women has increased from a 20-year low of 49% in 2016 to almost 51% in 2019. Also, data from Freddie Mac confirms that the volume of their purchase mortgage customers who are single women has risen 30% from 2010 to 2019.

Homeownership increased in 24 of the top 50 markets in 2019 compared to 2018. Richmond, Virginia, led the nation in homeownership rates for single women at just under 65%. Columbus, Ohio; Tampa, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina, followed and had homeownership above 60%.

Additionally, the homeownership gap between single women with no high school degree or just a high school degree compared to those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 7% in 2000 and is now 9%.

The number of single women with a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased from 20% from 2000 to 31% in 2019. The share of single women with a graduate degree has more than doubled during that same timeframe.

The average household income among single women has increased by an annual pace of 0.6% from 2000 through 2019—double the national average pace of 0.3%.

About Author: Mike Albanese

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Mike Albanese has worked for news publications since 2011 in Texas and Colorado. He has built a portfolio of more than 1,000 articles, covering city government, police and crime, business, sports, and is experienced in crafting engaging features and enterprise pieces. He spent time as the sports editor for the "Pilot Point Post-Signal," and has covered the DFW Metroplex for several years. He has also assisted with sports coverage and editing duties with the "Dallas Morning News" and "Denton Record-Chronicle" over the past several years.
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