How many homes are owned free and clear, state by state
39.4% of owner-occupied housing units in the United States are owned free and clear: 33,142,503 of 84,210,142 units, as reported in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. The national count here is the sum of the 51 state and District of Columbia rows in this table, not a separately published national figure.
These are counts of owner-occupied housing units, not households, people or the whole housing stock: rental and vacant units are not in this universe. They describe how many owner-occupied units are reported without a mortgage, and are not a measure of borrowing capacity, eligibility, demand or the occupants' other debts. The share is a point estimate and carries no percentage margin; the published margins belong to the three counts.
Free and clear share by state, charted
Free and clear share by state
| Rank | State | Owner-occupied housing units | Owned free and clear | Free and clear share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 545,595 | 293,937 | 53.9% |
| 2 | Mississippi | 801,788 | 405,905 | 50.6% |
| 3 | New Mexico | 585,937 | 283,917 | 48.5% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 1,216,127 | 581,604 | 47.8% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 208,084 | 99,359 | 47.7% |
| 6 | Arkansas | 800,864 | 377,721 | 47.2% |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 1,027,837 | 476,266 | 46.3% |
| 8 | Alabama | 1,402,155 | 643,692 | 45.9% |
| 9 | Montana | 317,400 | 144,274 | 45.5% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 250,621 | 114,098 | 45.5% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 174,619 | 77,260 | 44.2% |
| 12 | Texas | 6,879,255 | 3,024,746 | 44.0% |
| 13 | Kentucky | 1,239,908 | 543,763 | 43.9% |
| 14 | Florida | 5,918,647 | 2,587,361 | 43.7% |
| 15 | South Carolina | 1,522,121 | 652,757 | 42.9% |
| 16 | Kansas | 788,409 | 335,670 | 42.6% |
| 17 | Maine | 443,573 | 187,688 | 42.3% |
| 18 | Michigan | 2,984,190 | 1,259,325 | 42.2% |
| 19 | New York | 4,196,985 | 1,769,519 | 42.2% |
| 20 | Tennessee | 1,890,569 | 796,487 | 42.1% |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | 3,656,971 | 1,536,735 | 42.0% |
| 22 | Nebraska | 530,878 | 220,550 | 41.5% |
| 23 | Iowa | 943,396 | 383,278 | 40.6% |
| 24 | Vermont | 200,079 | 80,215 | 40.1% |
| 25 | Alaska | 180,833 | 72,175 | 39.9% |
| 26 | Missouri | 1,708,413 | 680,674 | 39.8% |
| 27 | Ohio | 3,267,904 | 1,286,340 | 39.4% |
| 28 | Illinois | 3,378,910 | 1,324,567 | 39.2% |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 1,682,214 | 653,748 | 38.9% |
| 30 | North Carolina | 2,853,493 | 1,104,703 | 38.7% |
| 31 | Arizona | 1,924,098 | 735,632 | 38.2% |
| 32 | Idaho | 514,361 | 194,603 | 37.8% |
| 33 | New Hampshire | 404,453 | 153,076 | 37.8% |
| 34 | Hawaii | 310,247 | 115,806 | 37.3% |
| 35 | Georgia | 2,676,357 | 979,950 | 36.6% |
| 36 | Indiana | 1,916,243 | 696,726 | 36.4% |
| 37 | Delaware | 293,383 | 106,110 | 36.2% |
| 38 | New Jersey | 2,239,128 | 808,288 | 36.1% |
| 39 | Minnesota | 1,666,687 | 600,284 | 36.0% |
| 40 | Oregon | 1,087,983 | 385,829 | 35.5% |
| 41 | Connecticut | 952,989 | 336,895 | 35.4% |
| 42 | Nevada | 721,197 | 246,317 | 34.2% |
| 43 | Washington | 1,954,777 | 662,433 | 33.9% |
| 44 | Massachusetts | 1,741,158 | 584,397 | 33.6% |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 281,002 | 93,912 | 33.4% |
| 46 | Virginia | 2,266,609 | 751,054 | 33.1% |
| 47 | California | 7,567,568 | 2,469,964 | 32.6% |
| 48 | Utah | 790,144 | 246,162 | 31.2% |
| 49 | Colorado | 1,571,735 | 481,056 | 30.6% |
| 50 | Maryland | 1,597,565 | 462,922 | 29.0% |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 134,683 | 32,753 | 24.3% |
What each state figure shows
Jump to a state: West Virginia · Mississippi · New Mexico · Louisiana · North Dakota · Arkansas · Oklahoma · Alabama · Montana · South Dakota · Wyoming · Texas · Kentucky · Florida · South Carolina · Kansas · Maine · Michigan · New York · Tennessee · Pennsylvania · Nebraska · Iowa · Vermont · Alaska · Missouri · Ohio · Illinois · Wisconsin · North Carolina · Arizona · Idaho · New Hampshire · Hawaii · Georgia · Indiana · Delaware · New Jersey · Minnesota · Oregon · Connecticut · Nevada · Washington · Massachusetts · Rhode Island · Virginia · California · Utah · Colorado · Maryland · District of Columbia
West Virginia: 53.9% owned free and clear
293,937 of 545,595 owner-occupied housing units in West Virginia are reported without a mortgage, 53.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Mississippi: 50.6% owned free and clear
405,905 of 801,788 owner-occupied housing units in Mississippi are reported without a mortgage, 50.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
New Mexico: 48.5% owned free and clear
283,917 of 585,937 owner-occupied housing units in New Mexico are reported without a mortgage, 48.5% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Louisiana: 47.8% owned free and clear
581,604 of 1,216,127 owner-occupied housing units in Louisiana are reported without a mortgage, 47.8% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
North Dakota: 47.7% owned free and clear
99,359 of 208,084 owner-occupied housing units in North Dakota are reported without a mortgage, 47.7% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Arkansas: 47.2% owned free and clear
377,721 of 800,864 owner-occupied housing units in Arkansas are reported without a mortgage, 47.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Oklahoma: 46.3% owned free and clear
476,266 of 1,027,837 owner-occupied housing units in Oklahoma are reported without a mortgage, 46.3% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Alabama: 45.9% owned free and clear
643,692 of 1,402,155 owner-occupied housing units in Alabama are reported without a mortgage, 45.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Montana: 45.5% owned free and clear
144,274 of 317,400 owner-occupied housing units in Montana are reported without a mortgage, 45.5% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
South Dakota: 45.5% owned free and clear
114,098 of 250,621 owner-occupied housing units in South Dakota are reported without a mortgage, 45.5% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Wyoming: 44.2% owned free and clear
77,260 of 174,619 owner-occupied housing units in Wyoming are reported without a mortgage, 44.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Texas: 44.0% owned free and clear
3,024,746 of 6,879,255 owner-occupied housing units in Texas are reported without a mortgage, 44.0% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Kentucky: 43.9% owned free and clear
543,763 of 1,239,908 owner-occupied housing units in Kentucky are reported without a mortgage, 43.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Florida: 43.7% owned free and clear
2,587,361 of 5,918,647 owner-occupied housing units in Florida are reported without a mortgage, 43.7% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
South Carolina: 42.9% owned free and clear
652,757 of 1,522,121 owner-occupied housing units in South Carolina are reported without a mortgage, 42.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Kansas: 42.6% owned free and clear
335,670 of 788,409 owner-occupied housing units in Kansas are reported without a mortgage, 42.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Maine: 42.3% owned free and clear
187,688 of 443,573 owner-occupied housing units in Maine are reported without a mortgage, 42.3% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Michigan: 42.2% owned free and clear
1,259,325 of 2,984,190 owner-occupied housing units in Michigan are reported without a mortgage, 42.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
New York: 42.2% owned free and clear
1,769,519 of 4,196,985 owner-occupied housing units in New York are reported without a mortgage, 42.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Tennessee: 42.1% owned free and clear
796,487 of 1,890,569 owner-occupied housing units in Tennessee are reported without a mortgage, 42.1% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Pennsylvania: 42.0% owned free and clear
1,536,735 of 3,656,971 owner-occupied housing units in Pennsylvania are reported without a mortgage, 42.0% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Nebraska: 41.5% owned free and clear
220,550 of 530,878 owner-occupied housing units in Nebraska are reported without a mortgage, 41.5% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Iowa: 40.6% owned free and clear
383,278 of 943,396 owner-occupied housing units in Iowa are reported without a mortgage, 40.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Vermont: 40.1% owned free and clear
80,215 of 200,079 owner-occupied housing units in Vermont are reported without a mortgage, 40.1% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Alaska: 39.9% owned free and clear
72,175 of 180,833 owner-occupied housing units in Alaska are reported without a mortgage, 39.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Missouri: 39.8% owned free and clear
680,674 of 1,708,413 owner-occupied housing units in Missouri are reported without a mortgage, 39.8% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Ohio: 39.4% owned free and clear
1,286,340 of 3,267,904 owner-occupied housing units in Ohio are reported without a mortgage, 39.4% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Illinois: 39.2% owned free and clear
1,324,567 of 3,378,910 owner-occupied housing units in Illinois are reported without a mortgage, 39.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Wisconsin: 38.9% owned free and clear
653,748 of 1,682,214 owner-occupied housing units in Wisconsin are reported without a mortgage, 38.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
North Carolina: 38.7% owned free and clear
1,104,703 of 2,853,493 owner-occupied housing units in North Carolina are reported without a mortgage, 38.7% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Arizona: 38.2% owned free and clear
735,632 of 1,924,098 owner-occupied housing units in Arizona are reported without a mortgage, 38.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Idaho: 37.8% owned free and clear
194,603 of 514,361 owner-occupied housing units in Idaho are reported without a mortgage, 37.8% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
New Hampshire: 37.8% owned free and clear
153,076 of 404,453 owner-occupied housing units in New Hampshire are reported without a mortgage, 37.8% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Hawaii: 37.3% owned free and clear
115,806 of 310,247 owner-occupied housing units in Hawaii are reported without a mortgage, 37.3% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Georgia: 36.6% owned free and clear
979,950 of 2,676,357 owner-occupied housing units in Georgia are reported without a mortgage, 36.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Indiana: 36.4% owned free and clear
696,726 of 1,916,243 owner-occupied housing units in Indiana are reported without a mortgage, 36.4% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Delaware: 36.2% owned free and clear
106,110 of 293,383 owner-occupied housing units in Delaware are reported without a mortgage, 36.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
New Jersey: 36.1% owned free and clear
808,288 of 2,239,128 owner-occupied housing units in New Jersey are reported without a mortgage, 36.1% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Minnesota: 36.0% owned free and clear
600,284 of 1,666,687 owner-occupied housing units in Minnesota are reported without a mortgage, 36.0% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Oregon: 35.5% owned free and clear
385,829 of 1,087,983 owner-occupied housing units in Oregon are reported without a mortgage, 35.5% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Connecticut: 35.4% owned free and clear
336,895 of 952,989 owner-occupied housing units in Connecticut are reported without a mortgage, 35.4% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Nevada: 34.2% owned free and clear
246,317 of 721,197 owner-occupied housing units in Nevada are reported without a mortgage, 34.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Washington: 33.9% owned free and clear
662,433 of 1,954,777 owner-occupied housing units in Washington are reported without a mortgage, 33.9% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Massachusetts: 33.6% owned free and clear
584,397 of 1,741,158 owner-occupied housing units in Massachusetts are reported without a mortgage, 33.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Rhode Island: 33.4% owned free and clear
93,912 of 281,002 owner-occupied housing units in Rhode Island are reported without a mortgage, 33.4% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Virginia: 33.1% owned free and clear
751,054 of 2,266,609 owner-occupied housing units in Virginia are reported without a mortgage, 33.1% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
California: 32.6% owned free and clear
2,469,964 of 7,567,568 owner-occupied housing units in California are reported without a mortgage, 32.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Utah: 31.2% owned free and clear
246,162 of 790,144 owner-occupied housing units in Utah are reported without a mortgage, 31.2% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Colorado: 30.6% owned free and clear
481,056 of 1,571,735 owner-occupied housing units in Colorado are reported without a mortgage, 30.6% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Maryland: 29.0% owned free and clear
462,922 of 1,597,565 owner-occupied housing units in Maryland are reported without a mortgage, 29.0% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
District of Columbia: 24.3% owned free and clear
32,753 of 134,683 owner-occupied housing units in District of Columbia are reported without a mortgage, 24.3% of that state's owner-occupied units, in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
Where these figures come from
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. The figures are the Bureau's own published estimates for the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates from table B25081, and FreeRateUpdate publishes them as reported without adjustment.
FreeRateUpdate retrieved this snapshot from the Census Bureau on October 26, 2026. That is when the file was collected, not the period the figures describe: the estimates themselves cover the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Read the source table at the Census Bureau.