What does this second homes ranking show?

It orders states by Share of homes held for seasonal or occasional use. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Census Bureau supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Rankings · Housing

Highest second homes by state

Share of homes held for seasonal or occasional use.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Housing kept for seasonal, recreational or occasional use, as a share of all units rather than of vacant ones — a third of all homes being second homes describes a resort town, while a share of the vacant ones describes nothing. High figures mark places where locals compete with visitors for housing. Includes hunting cabins and inherited family places, not only resort condominiums. From Census table B25004.

How to read this ranking

Maine has the highest published second homes in this comparison, at 15.3%. The next states shown are Vermont (14.7%) and New Hampshire (10.1%).

The table orders 51 states by share of homes held for seasonal or occasional use. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Housing kept for seasonal, recreational or occasional use, as a share of all units rather than of vacant ones — a third of all homes being second homes describes a resort town, while a share of the vacant ones describes nothing. High figures mark places where locals compete with visitors for housing. Includes hunting cabins and inherited family places, not only resort condominiums. From Census table B25004.

1Maine15.3%
2Vermont14.7%
3New Hampshire10.1%
4Alaska8.6%
5Delaware8.5%
6Florida7.8%
7Montana6.8%
8Wisconsin6.2%
9Idaho5.8%
10Hawaii5.6%
11Michigan5.5%
12Arizona5.2%
13Wyoming5.1%
14Minnesota4.9%
15South Carolina4.5%
16North Carolina3.9%
17Colorado3.8%
18New Mexico3.8%
19Massachusetts3.7%
20Utah3.7%
21Rhode Island3.6%
22New York3.5%
23West Virginia3.5%
24New Jersey3.4%
25Arkansas3.3%
26South Dakota3.2%
27Alabama3.1%
28North Dakota3.0%
29Oregon3.0%
30Missouri2.9%
31Nevada2.7%
32Pennsylvania2.5%
33Washington2.5%
34California2.4%
35Louisiana2.2%
36Maryland2.1%
37Mississippi2.1%
38Virginia2.0%
39Georgia1.9%
40Connecticut1.8%
41Tennessee1.8%
42Kentucky1.7%
43Nebraska1.7%
44Oklahoma1.7%
45Iowa1.6%
46Texas1.6%
47Indiana1.3%
48Ohio1.1%
49Kansas1.0%
50District of Columbia0.8%
51Illinois0.8%

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Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Share of homes held for seasonal or occasional use. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Census Bureau. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau. · How this is built

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