The nation's homeownership rate fell to 63.4% in 2016, according to the Census Bureau's Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey. This was down from the peak of 69.0% in 2004 – a 5.6 percentage point decline. Among householders ranging in age from 30 to 44, the decline was in the double digits, including a 12 percentage-point drop among householders aged 30 to 34 as the age of first-time home buying continues to advance.

Homeownership Rate in 2016
(and percentage-point decline since 2004 peak)

Total households: 63.4% (-5.6)
Under 25: 21.9% (-3.3)
25 to 29: 30.9% (-9.3)
30 to 34: 45.4% (-12.0)
35 to 39: 55.3% (-10.9)
40 to 44: 62.0% (-10.0)
45 to 54: 69.3% (-7.9)
55 to 64: 75.0% (-6.7)
65-plus: 78.8% (-2.3)