Population update for july

American Demographics, July 1, 1998 by Josh Galper

Homeownership is part of the traditional American dream, and many immigrants are making that dream a reality. Native- and foreign-born citizens are equally likely to own their homes, according to the Census Bureau. In 1996, 67 percent of native- and foreign-born citizens were homeowners, compared with 33 percent of non-citizens.

Length of stay has been defined by the Census Bureau as the principal reason that immigrant citizens purchase homes. Immigrants who arrived in the 1950s have the highest homeownership rates of either native- of foreign-born citizens-80 percent own their home. Immigrants who arrived in the 1990s have the lowest homeownership rates, at 36 percent.

Married immigrant couples have higher homeownership rates than other types of immigrant families. The immigrant desire for homeownership may in fact be stronger than the native-born desire. In three of four census regions, the foreign-born population has a higher homeownership rate than the native-born population.