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Demographics by ZIP Code

Housing Data by ZIP Code: Owners, Renters, and Values

ZIP-level housing data reveals owner-renter ratios, median home values, and vacancy rates that shape neighborhood character.

## Housing at the ZIP Level

The Census Bureau's American Community Survey tracks detailed housing data at the ZCTA level, providing a window into neighborhood stability, affordability, and character.

## Key Housing Metrics

| Metric | National Avg | Range |
|--------|-------------|-------|
| Owner-occupied rate | 65.4% | 5% - 98% |
| Median home value | $281,900 | $25,000 - $3,000,000+ |
| Median rent | $1,163/mo | $400 - $3,500+ |
| Vacancy rate | 10.3% | 0% - 85% |
| Housing units per ZCTA | ~3,000 | 10 - 40,000+ |

*Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2022*

## Owner vs. Renter Geography

The owner-renter split varies dramatically by ZIP:

- **Highest ownership** — Rural and suburban ZIPs often exceed 85% owner-occupied
- **Lowest ownership** — Manhattan ZIPs are 75-80% renter-occupied
- **College towns** — High renter rates due to student populations
- **Military bases** — High renter rates due to transient population
- **Retirement communities** — Often high ownership despite older demographics

## Home Value Extremes

Median home values span three orders of magnitude:

| ZIP | Location | Median Home Value |
|-----|----------|-------------------|
| 94027 | Atherton, CA | $7,100,000 |
| 90210 | Beverly Hills, CA | $3,800,000 |
| 10007 | New York, NY (FiDi) | $2,900,000 |
| 48209 | Detroit, MI | $45,000 |
| 38702 | Greenville, MS | $38,000 |

## Vacancy Patterns

High vacancy rates tell different stories:

- **Seasonal** — Beach towns and ski resorts (30-60% vacant seasonally)
- **Declining** — Rust Belt cities with population loss
- **Transitional** — Neighborhoods undergoing rapid change
- **New construction** — Recently built developments not yet occupied

## Using Housing Data

Housing data by ZIP code serves multiple purposes:

- **Real estate investment** — Identifying undervalued or growing markets
- **Lending** — Banks use ZIP-level data for CRA compliance
- **Urban planning** — Targeting affordable housing investments
- **Insurance** — Homeowner insurance rates correlate with home values

Key Terms

Housing Units Median Home Value Owner-Occupied Housing Renter-Occupied Housing ZIP Code Tabulation Area

Related Tools

Population Lookup

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 Cost of Living Comparison

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I learn more about postal code systems?
ZipFYI's Stories section features in-depth articles about postal code systems worldwide, their history, how they work, and why they matter. Topics range from the origins of ZIP codes to how modern postal systems handle millions of packages daily.
How do postal code systems evolve over time?
Postal code systems evolve to accommodate population growth, urbanization, and changes in mail volume. New codes are created when areas develop, codes may be reassigned when delivery routes change, and entire systems can be reformed (as Ireland did with Eircode in 2015).
Why are postal codes important for businesses?
Businesses use postal codes for shipping and logistics, sales tax calculation, market analysis, customer demographics, delivery zone determination, insurance underwriting, and compliance with regulations. Accurate postal codes reduce delivery failures and improve customer experience.
How do postal codes relate to demographics?
In the US, the Census Bureau links demographic data to ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). This enables analysis of population, income, education, housing, and commute patterns at the postal code level. Marketers, researchers, and policy makers rely on this data extensively.
What is geocoding and how does it relate to postal codes?
Geocoding converts addresses and postal codes into geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude). It enables mapping, distance calculations, delivery routing, and spatial analysis. Postal codes serve as a common input for geocoding services because they provide approximate location data.