Q2 homeownership rate unchanged

The percentage of Americans owning their own homes was essentially unchanged during the second quarter of 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

At 68.7 percent, the second quarter's homeownership rate was not statistically different from the previous quarter's rate of 68.5 percent or from

The rate translates into 75.2 million homeowners during the second quarter of 2006, noted the Census Bureau.

By region, the homeownership rate was highest in the Midwest at 72.5 percent, followed by the South at 70.4 percent and the Northeast at 65.4 percent. The West posted the lowest homeownership rate at 64.7 percent.

When compared with their respective rates a year ago, the homeownership rate was higher in the West, lower in the Midwest and not statistically different in other regions from their respective rates the previous year, according to the Census Bureau.

By race, the homeownership rate for non-Hispanic white householders was highest at 75.9 percent, while rates for single-race black householders was lowest at 47.2.

Both the rates for non-Hispanic white and single-race black householders, as well as for Hispanic householders-at 50 percent in the second quarter-were not statistically different from their respective rates the previous year, said the Census Bureau.

The homeownership rate by age of householders was highest for those aged 55 to 64, at 81 percent, and for those aged 65 years or older, at 80.6 percent. The secondquarter rate for householders under 35 years of age was the lowest at 42.4 percent, according to the Census Bureau.