Who is more likely to be one of your tenants? Interesting question and Ancestry.com did a study of census data stretching back to 1900 in an attempt to answer it.
Dancers, waiters, bartenders and members of the armed services topped the list. While professionals and trades persons like optometrists, dentists and toolmakers were more likely to be homeowners.
Here are the top 25 professions that are most likely to be tenants based on the last 112 years of data:
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Dancers and dancing teachers |
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Motion picture projectionists |
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Waiters and waitresses |
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Counter and fountain workers |
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Members of the armed services |
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Service workers, except private household |
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Bartenders |
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Charwomen and cleaners |
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Cashiers |
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Cooks, except private household |
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Actors and actresses |
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Attendants, hospital and other institution |
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Laundry and dry cleaning operatives |
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Farm laborers, wage workers |
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Porters |
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Attendants, auto service and parking |
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Roofers and slaters |
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Attendants, professional and personal service* |
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Attendants, physicians and dentists office |
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Demonstrators |
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Bakers |
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Gardeners, except farm and groundskeepers |
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Collectors, bill and account |
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Painters, construction and maintenance |
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Shoemakers and repairers, except factory |
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You can see the entire list here.
Does the list match with your experience? Let me now with your comments.
That is very interesting. I’m surprised pastors/priests aren’t low on that list as until the 1970’s most lived in homes/parsonages provided by their churches. I get the military number for the same reason, the government provided housing for single men (still does) and had base housing for families. I think buying a home for military men is only something most can only dream about until they have sufficient rank/pay. I think home ownership would probably be higher with the increases rank.
Thanks, that was quite interesting.
Janne,
Thanks! I thought it was interesting too. I think you are right with your analysis of the military. I wonder how the data might be skewed a bit today with the millennial generation? They seem to be a bit down on home ownership, especially after the housing crash a few years ago. Time will tell I guess.
Thanks again for the kind words and for reading,
Kevin
What an interesting article. Being a landlord can be fun and rewarding at times. This was a fun read as I have been doing property management for 13 years now and have not seen anything like it.