All the Single Ladies … Buying Homes!
Single women have steadily increased their presence in the housing market, rising from 11% of buyers in 1981 to 20% today, compared to 8% for single men. Among first-time homebuyers, the share of single buyers is more pronounced. Single women first-time buyers increased from 11% in 1985 to 24% in 2024, while single men grew from 9% to 11%.
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1974: The first-year women were legally allowed to obtain a mortgage without a cosigner (crazy!)
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2006: The highest share of single women buyers, 22%
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2010: The highest share of single men buyers, 12%
Ralph’s Take
Single women are outpacing men in homeownership, driven by a strong desire for stability and financial control. With 34% of Americans never married in 2024 (up from 23% in 1950), women are more likely to have children at home or buy multi-generational homes, making homeownership a priority. Owning a home ensures predictable expenses, avoids rent hikes, and secures school stability for their kids. Women are also willing to make sacrifices to achieve this goal, while men are more likely to buy for retirement (7% vs. 4%).
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