Housing Occupancy - Ownership/Renting

Date posted: 09/29/2009

Total Housing Units: The total number of housing units represents all completed units of housing in the housing stock. This includes apartments, condos and townhouses, single detached housing, etc.

Occupied Housing Units: A housing unit is occupied if a person or group of persons is living in it at the time of the housing survey or if the occupants are only temporarily absent, as for example, on vacation. The persons living in the unit must consider it their usual place of residence or have no usual place of residence elsewhere. The count of occupied housing units is the same as the count of households.

Vacant Housing Units: A housing unit is vacant if no one is living in it at the time of the housing survey, unless its occupants are only temporarily absent. In addition, a vacant unit may be one which is entirely occupied by persons who have a usual residence else where.

Seasonal Vacant Units: Seasonal housing units are those intended for occupancy only during certain seasons of the year and found primarily in resort areas. Seasonal housing units may be counted as either vacant or occupied, depending on their status at the time of the housing survey. Housing units held for occupancy by migratory labor employed in farm work during the crop season are tabulated as seasonal. As of the first quarter 1986 vacant seasonal mobile homes are being counted as a part of the seasonal housing inventory.

What this chart shows: Total Number of Housing Units in Larimer County Communities, 2008

Data Source: Colorado Department of Local Affairs - Housing and Household Statistics

See data table

What these data tell us:

Fort Collins had the greatest number of housing units of all Larimer County communities in 2008. Loveland is the second largest market, with 52.2% fewer units than Fort Collins. (Colorado Department of Local Affairs)

What this chart shows: Percentage of Occupied Housing Units, 2004-2008

Data Source:

• Colorado Department of Local Affairs - Housing and Household Statistics
• Housing Market Conditions - United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

See data table

What these data tell us:

Between 2004 and 2008, Colorado and the United States experienced a similar rate in the percentage of occupied housing units. During this same period, Larimer County saw slight declines between 2004 and 2006, before rebounding in 2007. The five-year average of occupied units in Larimer County was 86.4%.

What this chart shows: Percentage of Occupied and Vacant Housing Units, Larimer County Communities - 2008

Data Source: Colorado Department of Local Affairs - Housing and Household Statistics

See data table

What these data tell us:

Among communities in Larimer County, the Larimer County portion of Windsor had the highest percentage, 34.6% (476), of vacant units in 2008 (see data table). The second highest vacancy rate in 2008 was Estes Park with 27.6% (1,130 units) vacant. One reason for the decline in occupancy in these areas may be related to the downturn in the economy, and as a result, the overbuilding of primary homes in Windsor and the decreased demand for second homes in Estes Park.

What this chart shows: Owner- & Renter-Occupied Housing Units, Larimer County & Larimer County Communities - 2000 Census

Data Source: United States Census Bureau - Census 2000
See data table

What these data tell us:

While the percentages of owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing in Larimer County were similar to Colorado and the United States, there were marked differences among local cities and towns. Fort Collins had the largest percentage of renters (39.4%) within Larimer County, most likely due to the large student population attending Colorado State University. In general, about a third of housing units in a given area of the County were occupied by renters in 2000. See the data table for state and national figures.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

• Affordable Rental Costs
• Bankruptcy and Foreclosure
• Federally Subsidized Housing
• Homelessness
• Home Ownership/Affordable Housing
• Household Types & Age of Residents
• Housing Units
• Median Family Income
• Population Size & Growth
• Residential Home Sales
• Recreation Section

Outside Compass -

• National Association of Home Builders
• United States Census Bureau - Census 2000
• United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

Standards or Targets: N/A

Data Tables:

Total Number of Housing Units - Larimer County Communities;

Percentage Occupied Housing Units, 2008

	Number of Units	Number Occupied	Number Vacant	Percent Occupied	Percent Vacant
United States	130,840,000	111,854,000	18,986,000	85.5%	14.5%
Colorado	2,181,254	1,922,199	259,055	88.1%	11.9%
Larimer County	130,259	113,851	16,408	87.4%	12.6%
Berthoud	2,166	1,985	181	91.6%	8.4%
Estes Park	4,100	2,970	1,130	72.4%	27.6%
Fort Collins	58,370	53,117	5,253	91.0%	9.0%
Johnstown	36	35	1	97.2%	2.8%
Loveland	27,899	25,738	2,161	92.3%	7.7%
Timnath	102	93	9	91.2%	8.8%
Wellington	2,135	1,923	212	90.1%	9.9%
Windsor (part)	1,374	898	476	65.4%	34.6%

See chart - Number of Housing Units

See chart - Percentage of Occupied Units

See chart - Percentage of Occupied Units - Larimer County Communities

Percentage of Occupied Housing Units - United States, Colorado & Larimer County

	United States		Colorado		Larimer County
	Percent Occupied	Percent Vacant	Percent Occupied	Percent Vacant	Percent Occupied	Percent Vacant
1999	88.6%	11.4%	90.3%	9.7%	90.4%	9.6%
2000	88.6%	11.4%	91.7%	8.3%	92.2%	7.8%
2001	88.3%	11.7%	91.5%	8.5%	92.2%	7.8%
2002	88.9%	11.1%	89.8%	10.2%	90.3%	9.7%
2003	87.2%	12.8%	88.7%	11.3%	88.3%	11.7%
2004	87.6%	12.4%	88.1%	11.9%	87.1%	12.9%
2005	87.5%	12.5%	87.3%	12.7%	85.5%	14.5%
2006	87.5%	12.5%	87.1%	12.9%	85.1%	14.9%
2007	86.4%	13.6%	87.6%	12.4%	86.9%	13.1%
2008	85.5%	14.5%	88.1%	11.9%	87.4%	12.6%

See chart - Percentage of Occupied Units

Owner and Renter Occupied Housing Units - Census 2000

	Percent Owner Occupied	Percent Renter Occupied
United States	66.2%	33.8%
Colorado	67.3%	32.7%
Larimer County	67.7%	32.3%
Berthoud	85.5%	14.5%
Estes Park	70.3%	29.7%
Fort Collins	60.6%	39.4%
Livermore	86.8%	13.2%
Loveland	74.7%	25.3%
Timnath-Wellington	85.0%	15.0%

See chart

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