One of the data sources we used to create our 2017 Market Report we consulted the Census Housing Vacancies table provides current information on the rental and homeowner vacancy rates, and characteristics of units available for occupancy. The rental vacancy rate factors into the index of leading economic indicators; as such, it’s used by the Federal Government and pundits alike to gauge the current economic climate.

The current release folds in rental and homeownership data to give a robust image of the state of housing in America: currenthvspress

This historical quarterly rental vacancy chart compares numbers from 1956 to present: histtab1

To find out more about current vacancies as an indicator of market health — and what it means in the context of the Portland real estate market — read our full 2017 Market Report