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5.1.9 Total and Share of Renting Households Paying 30% or More of Household Income for Shelter Costs
Why is this important?
Lack of adequate and affordable housing is a significant problem throughout many communities across the United States, but especially for low income families and individuals. Too much of scarce funds going to housing may lead to too little going to a household's other necessities.
At least since the early 1980s, federal housing authorities have suggested that 30% of a household's income is the threshold under which housing is considered "affordable." This 30%-of-income standard says that non-housing needs, i.e. costs for basic necessities such as clothing, food, and other non-housing monthly bills, can be met with 70% of a household's annual income. It also suggests that when housing costs are at or less than 30% of a household's income, the household's ability to save for future needs or emergencies becomes easier. When costs become larger than 30%, however, saving is significantly reduced or eliminated, and meeting basic needs with the left-over income becomes more difficult. The risk of foreclosure also becomes higher.
The 30% (and 50%) income to housing costs ratio is also referred to by the U.S. Census as the “housing-cost burden." Those above the 30% ratio but below 50% are considered to have a “moderate housing-cost burden.” Those households with a ratio greater than 50% are considered to have a “severe housing-cost burden. From an economic development perspective, housing affordability can impact a community's ability to attract and retain workers.
This indicator measures the total and share of renters in Walla Walla county who were spending 30% or more of their household income on housing costs. Washington State and the U.S. are offered as benchmarks.
The Census offers 1-year estimates for areas with populations of 65,000 or more people; five-year estimates are available for all areas. One-year estimates use 12 months of collected data, while 5-year estimates use a 60-month rolling average. Due to the different methodologies used, it is important to use the same type of estimate when making a comparison.
Where are we?
During 2023, the total number of renters spending 30% or more of their household income for rent in Walla Walla & Columbia Counties combined was 4,091, decreasing by -13.2% from 4,714 in 2013.
During 2023, the share of renters who were paying 30% or more of their household income on housing costs in:
- Walla Walla & Columbia Counties combined was 49.2%, decreasing from 51.2% in 2013.
- Washington State was 50.3%, increasing from 48% in 2013.
- The U.S. was 51.8%, increasing from 47.6% in 2013.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey (ACS) - Explore Census Data
Notes:
1) This information comes from a survey, so the data presented are estimates. All significant tests are done at the 90% confidence interval. The margin of errors is provided in the “Download Data” section.
2) Not all indicators can be tested for statistical significance. For example, some indicators use portions of data from multiple ACS sources, and the test is cannot be running. If available, the results of the test are offered. When no test results are offered, the statistical significance test was not able to be conducted.
3) Learn more about the ACS:
4) According to the US Census Bureau, the pandemic made the collection of accurate one-year estimates for the American Community Survey (ACS) impossible in 2020.
