Racial Equity
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity

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Housing Affordability - Owning by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21

What does this measure?

The median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation, and broken down for homeowners in various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is this important?

This ratio provides a rough estimate of the affordability of homes in a community. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. High housing costs can force households to choose between paying for housing and meeting other basic needs such as food, clothing and health care.

How is our region doing?

In 2017-21, homes in the region were generally less affordable for all racial and ethnic groups. The ratios for Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanics were 4.5, 4.7, and 5.7, respectively, while whites were 4.1. These rates are higher (less affordable) than national rates, but similar to statewide rates, with the exception of rates for African Americans and Hispanics, which are lower in MetroWest than they are statewide.

Housing costs for all racial/ethnic groups were generally more affordable in Norfolk and Worcester than in Middlesex.

Why do these disparities exist?

Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This has resulted in lower incomes for people of color, which means housing costs are a greater burden.

Notes about the data

Multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census.

The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic).

Housing Affordability - Owning by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
United States4.43.73.93.2
Massachusetts4.65.46.04.0
Region4.54.75.74.1
Middlesex County4.55.46.24.1
Norfolk County4.44.24.54.0
Worcester County4.14.15.03.5

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Ratio of median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity.




Median Home Value by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
United States$469,406$198,001$248,081$257,526
Massachusetts$540,252$406,431$379,243$438,772
Region$559,796$391,385$417,554$485,172
Middlesex County$558,843$464,048$495,504$515,589
Norfolk County$624,567$374,654$457,926$574,295
Worcester County$559,818$317,897$303,805$383,829

Source: U.S. Census Bureau




Housing Affordability - Owning by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
United States4.43.73.93.2
Massachusetts4.65.46.04.0
Region4.54.75.74.1
Middlesex County4.55.46.24.1
Norfolk County4.44.24.54.0
Worcester County4.14.15.03.5

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Ratio of median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity.




Median Home Value by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
United States$469,406$198,001$248,081$257,526
Massachusetts$540,252$406,431$379,243$438,772
Region$559,796$391,385$417,554$485,172
Middlesex County$558,843$464,048$495,504$515,589
Norfolk County$624,567$374,654$457,926$574,295
Worcester County$559,818$317,897$303,805$383,829

Source: U.S. Census Bureau




INDICATORS
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity
Children Living in Poverty
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity
Single-Parent Families
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity
Disengaged Youth
Reports of Domestic Violence
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments
Households Without Vehicles
Means of Transportation to Work
Households With Internet Access
Voter Participation Rate
Average Charitable Contribution
People Without Health Insurance
Opioid Overdose Mortality Rate
Crimes Against People
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity
Change in Total Population
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity
Foreign-Born Population
Language Diversity
Population by Age
Change in Population by Age/Gender
Seniors Living Alone
People with Disabilities
Change in Total Jobs by Sector
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity
Unemployment Rate
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity
Average Salary by Sector
High-Tech Jobs
Female to Male Earnings Ratio
Prekindergarten Participation
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group
School Spending Per Student
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group
Chronically Absent Students
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group
Education Levels of Adults
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity
People Living in Poverty
People Living in Poverty, by Education Level
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity
Households Receiving Temporary Assistance
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity
Median Household Income
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity
Living Wage
80/20 Income Ratio
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity
Homeownership Rates
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity
Cost of Homeownership
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity
Cost of Rent
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity
Homelessness
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity


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