The housing sector looms large in the success of a local economy. Home building and maintenance are significant areas of economic activity. Housing also affects personal balance sheets, since for most households that own a home, the home is the largest component of their wealth.
Adequate shelter is also central to a sense of well-being. Tracking affordability and establishing programs for low-income residents that make housing more affordable are top priorities in many communities. This category takes a look at measures facing both owners and renters in Benton and Franklin Counties. Nearly all the indicators are benchmarked to the state and many to the U.S.
A full definition of each indicator, as well as its relevance to the two counties, can be found in the More Information section. The data are available in a spreadsheet via the Download Data tab.