Below is a graphic showing the percent of people age 25 to 34 that were homeowners in 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010 (based on the 2012 Five Year ACS estimates). As you can see there has been a decline in homeownership among the age group typically seen as comprising first time buyers - namely those between 25 and 34 years of age. Less than half of young adults currently own a home, versus as many as 54% from this age grouping that owned homes back in 1980.
