Profile America - Home Ownership

WASHINGTON -  Even with the recent disturbing developments in the housing and mortgage industries, along with headlines about record numbers of foreclosures, the American dream is still defined by many as owning your own home.  Across the U.S., there are more than 130 million housing units.  Of these, just shy of 68 percent of households own their homes.  The highest percentage of home ownership is in Delaware and Utah, at just over 76 percent.   In contrast, the lowest rates are in heavily populated states.  The lowest rate is in New York, at 55 percent, followed closely byCalifornia at 57½ percent.  Nationally, 44 percent of African-Americans own their own homes.