A look at national housing occupancy data from the 2010 Census shows some
interesting patterns for seasonal housing and vacancy rates. Of the fifty
states, nine states had gross vacancy rates greater than 15 percent in 2010. Of
these nine states, three were located in the Northeast (Maine,
Vermont, New Hampshire),
three in the South (Florida, South
Carolina, Delaware), and three in
the West (Arizona, Alaska,
Montana).
Though these states had the highest gross vacancy rates, it is of note that all
but South Carolina
had a higher-than-average proportion of vacant units classified as “Vacant—for seasonal,
recreational, and occasional use” in 2010.
This class of units is more commonly referred to as
“vacation” homes, but this category also includes units occupied on an occasional
basis as corporate apartments and other temporary residences where all
household members reported their residence was elsewhere. On a percentage
basis, Maine (16.4 percent), Vermont
(15.6 percent), and New Hampshire (10.4
percent), three northern New England states, topped
the list of states with the most vacant units classified for seasonal,
recreational, and occasional use. In terms of absolute numbers, Florida was the clear leader in the number of these homes
(657,000), followed by California (303,000), New York (289,000), and Michigan (263,000).
Below is data for counties in New York State
from the 2010 Census showing owner occupied housing unit information and vacancy
data, particularly for seasonal and rental properties.
Census 2010: NYS Counties' Owner Occupied, Rental, Seasonal, and Vacant Housing
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| Click to Enlarge |
