112
THE HOMES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
What’s New
•
In Montgomery County, the home ownership rate
was 73.1% in 2010, well above the national rate of
65.1%. The bursting of the housing bubble at the
end of the decade sparked a surge in rental housing.
•
While lot sizes have been shrinking and living area
expanding for single family detached homes over
several decades, both measures declined further since
the Great Recession started. From 2009 through
2013, the median lot size for detached homes was
16,030 square feet, and the median living area of the
same homes was 2,918 square feet, compared to a
median lot size of 18,598 square feet and living area
of 3,094 square feet from 2000 to 2008.
Existing Housing Totals
Housing Characteristics
Housing Costs and Affordability
Senior Housing
Group Homes and Special
Needs Housing
Jobs-Housing Balance
Future Housing Demand
PLANNING ISSUE
There are a variety of housing
factors that can make
neighborhoods less desirable
or lead to decline. Some
communities may struggle
with lower than average rates
of homeownership if the
housing stock is aging, lacks
modern amenities, or is
undersized.
Housing Characteristics
Age of Housing
Montgomery County’s status as a high growth suburban
employment center with a rich heritage is reflected in its
array of housing styles and ages. Within the county, one
can find plenty of newer single-family detached
subdivisions, urban enclaves with rowhomes and twins
from over fifty years ago, recent residential conversions of
industrial land or structures, and large estate homes dating
back to the 18th century.
A little more than half of the county’s housing stock was
built in the last fifty years with the median year built being
1965. There is a greater percentage of modern housing in
the county compared to Pennsylvania where the median year
built is 1961. Compared to the nation’s median year built of
1976, the county’s housing is considerably older.
Older homes certainly add character and historical
distinction to many neighborhoods in the county. However,
they can also pose a challenge when some fall into disrepair,
or the challenges of updating and renovation create a
competitive disadvantage in the eyes of homebuyers.
Housing Tenure
Over the past decade, the rate of home ownership has
actually declined in the country, state, and every county in
the DVRPC region. This decline is fairly small and not
surprising since the banking industry and government
regulators have tightened loan standards, foreclosures have
increased, and falling housing prices have convinced some
home sellers to rent instead of sell.
One additional factor for a declining ownership rate is the
number of multifamily units that were added in the decade.
There were over 10,000 multifamily units added and many
of those units were renter-occupied apartments. Well-
maintained apartments are an important asset for the county,
providing flexibility for the workforce and attractive
housing options for those not ready to buy. The county’s
boroughs, with more apartments and higher density housing,
have the highest rates of renter-occupied housing, while the
county’s rural and more suburban townships tend to have
the highest owner-occupied housing rates.
FIGURE 76:
Owner Occupied Housing Units as a Percent
of Total Occupied Units
69%
70%
71%
72%
73%
74%
75%
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
