The rental housing industry in the US is large, with nearly 89 million Americans renting their homes. There are over 17 million apartment units housing over 16 million households, with a total value of $2.2 trillion. The apartment rental industry generates $120 billion annually and employs over 550,000 people. Construction of new apartment units has added an average of 210,000 homes per year over the last 5 years, providing jobs and over $32 billion to the economy. Demographic and housing preference trends indicate half of new homes built by 2020 will need to be rental units.

1. Quick Rental Industry Overview
by Kelly Gontarski
September 15, 2010
StarPointTenantScreening.com
• Nearly eighty‐nine million Americans, almost one third of all Americans rent their housing.
• There are 17.3 million apartments in the U.S. (in properties with 5+ units). They house 16.5 million
households, or more than 14 percent of all households.
• The value of the entire apartment stock (buildings with 5 or more units) is $2.2 trillion.
• Rental revenues from apartments total almost $120 billion annually, and management and operation
of apartments are responsible for approximately 550,000 jobs.
• Construction of apartment communities in the last five years has added an average of 210,000 new
apartment homes per year. The value of the new construction has averaged over these five years more
than $32 billion annually, providing jobs to over 270,000 workers.
• Apartment living now attracts a wide variety of Americans, including households that could afford to
buy, but prefer the convenience of renting. In fact, households making $50,000 or more a year make up
a quarter of all apartment renters.
• The U.S. is on the cusp of fundamental change in our housing dynamics as changing demographics and
housing preferences drive more people away from the typical suburban house. According to Professor
Arthur C. Nelson, Presidential Professor and Director of Metropolitan Research at the University of
Utah’s College of Architecture and Planning, to meet emerging housing demands, between now and
2020, half of all new homes built will have to be rental units.
For more quick facts, visit http://www.nmhc.org/goto/quickfacts .
Happy renting from StarPoint Tenant Screening!