The Changing Average American Home

[raccoon]

As consumers come to expect more from their homes in square footage and amenities, the average home price in the United States has grown to reflect these increasing demands. …

The size of the average American home has more than doubled over the past half-century. The most recent statistics from the National Association of Home Builders show that the average American home grew from 983 square feet in 1950 to 2,434 square feet in 2005. In 1950, only one percent of homes built had four bedrooms or more, but 39 percent of new homes had at least four bedrooms in 2003. Garages have become almost obligatory, with only eight percent of new homes built without a garage, as opposed to 53 percent built without one in 1950.

…

Causes

Americans have higher expectations for their homes than ever before. Back in the 1950s, it was considered normal for children to share bedrooms or for the family to share one full bathroom. As more and more Americans move into the highest tax bracket, our level of comparison shifts along with our norms.

(snip)
Posted August 20, 2007 1:59:43 PM


http://prudential.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=666853


Someone posted this link on this thread,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1820627

[kineneb]

1. guess we are not average, then

Double-wide manufactured house, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 office/den (music room), ~1290 sq. ft., no garage (2 large sheds which are studios). I don't want something larger, it would just take longer to clean.

[bunkerbuster1]

2. Crazy, huh?

I have one of those average-square-foot homes. I wasn't really looking for quite that much space, but that's what our budget accomodated.

Really, it's nuts. Our families have grown smaller but the houses are getting way bigger.

[raccoon]

3. Not only that, there's a lot more singles/divorced out there now,

who'd prefer a smaller home.

Like me. I guess I'll have to buy an older home if I become a homeowner again.