Recent Census Bureau data reveal a striking divide in how long families stay in the same home across the United States. In 2024, just 11.2% of households changed addresses – the lowest mobility rate recorded since the agency began tracking this metric in 1948. That translates to roughly 14.8 million moves, a sharp drop from a decade ago.
States with the longest homeownership tenures
Analysis by Spokeo, using Census data alongside research from Harvard and Axios, shows that households in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York have lived in the same residence for more than a decade. West Virginia leads with 68.8% of homes occupied since 2019, followed closely by Pennsylvania at 68.1%.
Rounding out the top ten are New Hampshire, Michigan, Maine, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island – each with more than two‑thirds of households remaining in place.
States with the highest turnover
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Oregon, Oklahoma, Washington, Utah, North Dakota, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Nevada report the most frequent moves. Nevada’s turnover rate sits at 53.6%, while Texas follows at 54.6%.
The gap between the most and least stable states is roughly 15 percentage points, meaning a homeowner in West Virginia is far more likely to have built decades of equity than a resident in Nevada.
Why the differences?
Affordability remains a central factor. Nationwide home prices have risen 60% since 2019, and mortgage rates hovered around 6.7% during the 2024 data collection period. Higher rates discourage many owners from selling, especially those who refinanced at pandemic‑low rates and now face a steep cost to obtain a new loan.
Older homeowners are driving stability in the Appalachian and rural Northeast regions. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston notes an 11% decline in mobility among households aged 65‑79 between 2019 and 2023, outpacing declines among younger owners.
Conversely, the Sun Belt and Mountain West attract movers seeking jobs, warmer climates and lower living costs. States such as Oklahoma and Colorado see annual mobility rates of 13‑14%, more than double those of many East Coast states.
Implications for families and local economies
Long‑term residency can foster stronger community ties and allow families to accumulate equity, supporting multigenerational stability. However, it also tightens housing inventory, making it harder for new buyers to find homes in low‑turnover states.
In high‑turnover markets, sellers have more options, but the rapid churn can destabilize local labor pools and strain municipal services that rely on stable tax bases.
What this means for policymakers and employers
Employers recruiting across state lines should anticipate longer relocation timelines in the Northeast and Appalachia, where homeowners are less inclined to sell. Policymakers in fast‑moving states may need to encourage new construction to keep pace with demand, while states with stagnant markets might consider incentives to bring existing homes back onto the market.
Understanding these regional patterns is essential for addressing the broader housing affordability crisis and ensuring that families across America can find secure, affordable homes.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
