The chart illustrates the proportion of households residing in owned versus rented accommodation in England and Wales over a span of nearly a century, from 1918 to 2011.
Overall, there was a notable increase in home ownership over the specified period, contrasted by a gradual decline in renting percentages until the early 21st century, followed by a slight resurgence in rented households.
In 1918, only approximately 23% of households were owner-occupied, with the predominant 77% renting their homes. By 1939, home ownership had increased to 32%, while renting decreased to 68%. This upward trend continued, reaching 45% of households owning their homes by 1961, as the percentage of rented accommodations diminished to 55%. A significant change occurred in 2001, when home ownership peaked at 69%, resulting in a sharp decrease in renting, which was recorded at 31%. However, by 2011, the percentage of households owning their homes experienced a minor decline to 65%, while the rental percentage rose slightly to 35%.
Examining the overall trend, it is evident that between 1918 and 2001, rented households displayed a declining trajectory, beginning at 77% and eventually dropping to 31% before experiencing a slight resurgence by 2011. Conversely, home ownership experienced a gradual ascent from a low of 23% in 1918 to its zenith in 2001. This trend, however, was interrupted in the last recorded year, as home ownership fell to 65%, indicating potential shifts in housing preferences and economic conditions impacting household accommodation choices.