In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have released the results from the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) through an online database accessible to the public. 

The American FactFinder data tool expands access to detailed information from the national survey.

From plumbing and sewage disposal, to mortgage type and owner satisfaction, the survey covers a wide range of homeowner topics, among some newly added areas to consider. 

These include potential health hazards and features providing accessibility to disabled residents, such as entry level bathrooms, handles or levers on sinks, ramps and floors with no steps between rooms. 

The statistics gathered for the survey, the agencies note, are national-level only and regard apartments, single-family homes, manufactured housing, new construction and vacant housing units. 

Of the nation’s 115 million occupied homes under the 2011 AHS, on average most homes were built in 1974.

The median size of single-family detached and mobile home units is 1,800 square feet, with newly constructed units having a larger median size of 2,200 square feet. 

The survey noted that more than one fifth—21%—of all primary mortgage holders reported a change in their monthly payment in the last 12 months, the main reason being a change in property taxes or homeowners insurance. 

It was also noted that on average, households pay $927 per month, or 24% of their household income for housing. The cost is higher for residents of new construction, AHS adds, with the average cost being $1,340 per month.

View the database via the Census’s FactFinder. 

Written by Jason Oliva