Housing Unit

Housing Unit

A housing unit is a single unit within a larger structure that can be used by an individual or household to eat, sleep, and live. The following living quarters are generally not considered housing units and are not included in Census Bureau data: Dormitories, bunkhouses, barracks Transient hotels and motels — except for those people who consider it their place of residence Quarters in institutions, general hospitals, and military installations — there are exceptions including units that are occupied by staff members or resident employees A housing unit is one unit within a larger structure, such as a house, apartment, mobile home, or group of rooms, where a person or family eat, live, and sleep. There are three types of situations that determine the loss of a housing unit: An interior exposed to the elements Demolished unit A home — house or mobile — that's moved The loss rate of homes in certain states is accelerating due to natural disasters. There were 139.7 million housing units in the U.S. in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, up from an estimated 138.5 million units in 2018.

A housing unit is one unit within a larger structure, such as a house, apartment, mobile home, or group of rooms, where a person or family eat, live, and sleep.

What Is a Housing Unit?

A housing unit is a single unit within a larger structure that can be used by an individual or household to eat, sleep, and live. The unit can be in any type of residence, such as a house, apartment, or mobile home, and may also be a single unit in a group of rooms.

Essentially, a housing unit is deemed to be a separate living quarter where the occupants live and eat separately from other residents of the structure or building. They also have direct access from the building's exterior or through a common hallway.

A housing unit is one unit within a larger structure, such as a house, apartment, mobile home, or group of rooms, where a person or family eat, live, and sleep.
Housing units are separate living quarters where the occupants live separately from other residents of the structure.
Residential construction is the largest component of change in housing units.

Understanding Housing Units

Housing units are residential units found in different types of structures, including residential homes, apartments, and condominium buildings. They may also be multiple rooms in a large structure such as a hotel or motel. These units allow an individual or family to live, eat, and sleep separately from others — which is also why they're referred to as separate living quarters.

Residential construction, both permitted and non-permitted, is the largest component of change in housing units. More than 98% of all new housing units are built in places that issue building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The following living quarters are generally not considered housing units and are not included in Census Bureau data:

Recording Housing Units

Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau provides housing unit estimates for all counties and states. These estimates are used as controls for the tracking of population growth or loss for cities and towns.

Estimates start with the most recent census data, then add in the estimated amount of new residential construction and mobile homes. Next, the estimated housing units lost is subtracted and results in the annual estimate figure.

There were 139.7 million housing units in the U.S. in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, up from an estimated 138.5 million units in 2018.

There are three types of situations that determine the loss of a housing unit:

The loss rate of homes in certain states is accelerating due to natural disasters. For example, California’s Butte County, the site of the Camp Fire wildfire in 2018, saw a 13.9% decline in housing units — from 100,704 to 86,209 — between 2018 and 2019.

Examples of Housing Units

As noted above, there are many different types of housing units. For instance, single families can be converted into multiple units as illustrated by the following example:

A homeowner may decide to renovate their basement to accommodate a secondary suite. Once complete, the owner may rent out the unit to another individual or family, or offer the unit to members of their family. This dwelling becomes a separate housing unit.

Similarly, a developer may seek permits to construct an apartment complex on an empty piece of land. The apartments that are constructed are counted as separate housing units.

Related terms:

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a residential structure that shares the same lot as a primary structure. read more

Building Activity Indicators

Building activity indicators are economic reports that provide insights into demand for residential, commercial and industrial construction activity. read more

Introduction to Building Permits

Building permits are a form of authorization required by regulators before construction commences on a new or existing building. read more

U.S. Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is a division of the Bureau of Commerce that is responsible for conducting the national census at least once every 10 years. read more

Condominium

Condos or condominiums are housing units in a large property complex that are sold to buyers. While apartments are generally rented, condos are owned. read more

Existing Home Sales

Existing home sales reports U.S. data on the sale of existing single-family dwellings, co-ops, and condominiums. read more

Foreclosure

Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender seizes and sells a home or property after a borrower is unable to fulfill their repayment obligation. read more

Household Income

Household income, as defined by the Census Bureau, is the combined gross income of all people occupying the same housing unit, who are 15 years and older. read more

Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index tracks the changes in the overall value of the U.S. residential market over time.  read more