There’s a major shift happening in real estate right now. Single women are not just participating in the housing market; they’re one of its leaders.
In fact, over 20 million single women now own homes in the U.S., a record-breaking milestone
Women only just earned the right to secure for a mortgage without a male co-signer in 1974 with the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Before this legislation, banks could legally deny credit, bank accounts or loans to women solely based on their gender or martial status. Now, just a bit over half a century later, single women in the U.S. outpace single men in home ownership by 6 million. This is a huge shift that happened in just a few decades.
According to the National Association of Realtors, women are entering the housing market in greater numbers and staying in their homes longer, making them a central force in the housing landscape. Women are buying homes on their own, often after major life changes. Why do more single women than men buy homes? One theory and life experience has shown me, is that as a whole, women tend to place a greater value on safety and security than men do and homeownership is a very concrete step in that.
Divorced women saw homeownership rise from 55% to 60% over the past decade.
Separated women’s home ownership increased from 33% to 39%.
Never-married women increased their homeownership rate from 30% to 34%.
Widowed women own homes at a rate of 73%.
Single women homeowners own their homes for longer than men, which gives these women homeowners more exposure to price growth and more time to pay down their mortgage, which strengthens their financial position over time. But they’re doing it with challenges. Women’s income, on average, is lower than men’s, yet their ownership rates are higher. Because of the income disparity women have more pressure on their budgets. Single women spend about 30% of their income on housing while men spend 26%.
From 1981 to Now: A Massive Shift
To really understand how big this moment is, you have to zoom out.
Back in 1981, single women made up just 11% of homebuyers—barely edging out single men at the time.
Fast forward to today, and single women now account for roughly 20% of all homebuyers, consistently outpacing single men by a wide margin. Single women homeowners are now the second largest group of homeowners behind married couples. Read more about it HERE.
Why This Is Happening
So, what’s driving this surge?
Higher education → higher income
More women are earning college degrees than ever before, increasing their earning power and ability to qualify for a mortgage.
Financial independence is a priority
For many women, homeownership isn’t just about having a place to live, it’s about building wealth, stability, and long-term security.
More women are forming households solo
Even when homeownership rates fluctuate, the number of female homeowners continues to grow because more women are choosing to live independently.
They’re willing to make sacrifices to get there
From cutting expenses to delaying big life purchases, many single women are laser-focused on buying a home as a symbol of personal success, stability, security, and not to mention a financial investment.
What This Means for the Market
- Single women homeowners as a demographic should be a group specifically considered and marketed to by home sellers and home builders
- The “traditional buyer” is evolving
- More homes are being purchased by one-income households
- Priorities like safety, community, and long-term value are becoming even more influential
