Single women have long been a powerful force within the first-time buyer segment. Now, one lender's analysis of recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows that, in the largest markets, single women far outpace single men when it comes to homeownership in most of the country.
Single women own about 5.2 million homes in the U.S., 44% more than the 3.6 million homes owned by single men in the nation’s 50 largest metros, according to a new study from LendingTree, which tracks homebuying using census data. The study found that in all of the 50 largest metro areas, single women own more homes than single men.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2020 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
- The median age of a single female who is a first-time home buyer is 33
- Single women tend to be more likely to purchase a townhome or condo than a married couple
- Single women cite living near friends and family as a primary factor in selecting a neighborhood.
The LendingTree analysis shows that Tampa, Fla., has the highest share of homes owned by single women at 17%, followed by Cleveland and New Orleans, where 16% of homeowners are single women.
Source: “Homeownership Gender Gap: Single Women Own More Homes Than Single Men Do,” LendingTree (March 10, 2021); “Single Women Are Propping Up the First-Time Home Buyer Segment,” Forbes.com (March 11, 2021); and NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, National Association of REALTORS® (Released Nov. 11, 2020).
