Demographics, Research, and Analysis
There is much to be understood about how Italians have adapted to becoming Americans, and, in turn, how America has changed thanks to the immigration of Italians. As the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute continues with its Italian Diasporas: Data Snapshot project in demographics, research, and data analysis, the aim is to provide information regarding a variety of characteristics related to the Italian diaspora addressing the issues of assimilation and accommodation.
This month the Data Snapshot explores homeownership.
Homeownership has historically served as an indicator of economic success in the United States. It represents both financial investment and social rootedness, offering insight into intergenerational mobility and neighborhood integration. For immigrant groups, the transition from renting to owning then reflects the consolidation of community life and the transfer of wealth and security across generations.
The data presented show that Italian Americans consistently report higher levels of homeownership than national averages across both genders. The data also indicate a narrowing gender gap, with women experiencing a slightly faster rate of homeownership increase over time. This pattern suggests that Italian American women have become an increasingly significant part of the homeowner population, reflecting broader social and economic shifts toward greater financial independence and shared household purchasing power. The comparison groups*, Italian, Greek, South Asian, and West Indian Americans, illustrate different stages in the immigrant experience. Italian and Greek Americans represent early twentieth-century European arrivals whose descendants show long-term stability and high rates of homeownership. South Asian and West Indian Americans reflect more recent post-1965 migrations.
Generational patterns also demonstrate shifting economic behavior among younger adults. As Carol Ryan reported in the Wall Street Journal, rising housing prices, high mortgage rates, and new financial opportunities in the stock market have led many younger Americans to view renting and investing as a viable alternative to buying a home.1 This may suggest that the traditional path to wealth accumulation through homeownership is no longer universal, particularly for younger and middle-income households.
Key Findings
- High and sustained ownership among Italian Americans: Between 1980 and 2023, Italian Americans consistently recorded homeownership rates between 70 and 75 percent, exceeding the national average across all decades.
- Gender differences in ownership: In 1980, 31 percent of Italian men and 26 percent of Italian women were homeowners. By 2023, these figures rose to 43 percent and 38 percent, respectively. The national averages for the same period were lower, at 39 percent for men and 32 percent for women. The data shows that Italian women experienced a faster proportional increase in ownership, narrowing the gender gap.
- Comparison groups show varied trajectories: Greek Americans display similar levels of ownership stability, while South Asian and West Indian Americans demonstrate lower but steadily increasing rates over the past two decades, reflecting gradual socioeconomic consolidation among newer immigrant communities.
- Generational divergence: Younger adults, including younger Italian Americans, are less likely to own homes compared to prior generations at the same age. Nationally, homeownership among adults under 35 has declined from 39 percent in 1980 to just under 30 percent in 2023, illustrating the broader affordability and access challenges shaping today’s housing market.
- Italian Americans as a benchmark for integration: When examined alongside Greek, South Asian, and West Indian data, Italian Americans continue to exhibit one of the most stable and mature patterns of homeownership in the United States, offering a valuable reference point for understanding long-term immigrant economic integration.
*Each broader ancestry group includes a subset of self-reported ethnic origins that together form the comparative framework used in this analysis. Greek, for example, consists of those who identified as being from Greece, Crete, or Cyprus.
1 Carol Ryan. “Where Have All the Young Home Buyers Gone? Check the Stock Market.” The Wall Street Journal, 12 Oct. 2025, www.wsj.com/personal-finance/where-have-all-the-young-home-buyers-gone-check-the-stock-market-e79f89ad#selection-537.0-537.65.
For previous Data Snapshots click here.