Indicator 45: Family Housing Costs

 

Why This Is Important

Housing is a major expense for most families; however, spending more than 30% of
income on housing may compromise the budget for other essential goods and services.
Nationally the share of all households (containing children) spending at least 30% of
their incomes on housing increased from 15% in 1978 to 28% in 1995, while the share
spending at least half their income on housing doubled from 6% in 1978 to 12% in 1995.
For renter households with children and very low income the trend was similar, but
housing expenses were a much higher share of income.

 

CHART TO BE UPDATED WITH CENSUS DATA

 

Where We Stand

According to the American Community Survey, the 2004 Data Profile of the U.S. Census
estimated median, monthly mortgage cost in Maine was $-, ---. For Maine renters, the
rent monthly median estimate was $---. According to this same data profile, of those
household reporting units with a mortgage, approximately --% of these owners had
--housing costs – percent or more than their household income.

 

Data Sources and Context

Data on this indicator comes from the American Community Survey:
http://www.census.gov/acs/www