renter news

Houston saw 8th biggest surge in senior renters over the last 10 years

A senior couple inspecting a potential house rental

Rising property taxes and home prices may be prompting older homeowners to consider renting.

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New U.S. Census data has revealed a startling trend regarding Houston's renter population: The number of renters aged 65 and older has surged over 60 percent over the last decade. There are nearly 64,000 seniors currently renting their homes in the Houston metro.

A new renter population study by Point2Homes analyzed the latest Census data for renters across every age demographic in the 75 biggest U.S. metros. Nationally, the number of senior renters has increased by 2.4 million people over the last decade.

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land had the 8th highest growth rate in senior renters nationwide from 2013 to 2023, the report found. Numerically, it was the fourth highest increase in the U.S.

The number of seniors renting single-family homes in Houston also jumped 19.1 percent since 2013, meaning over 7,800 senior Houstonians are renting their homes.

Austin-Round Rock claimed the No. 1 spot with an 81.1 percent increase in senior renters statewide from 2013-2023, though the Texas Capital added only 23,446 senior renters during that time.

For comparison, Baton Rouge, Louisiana had the biggest surge of senior renters in the U.S. over the last decade with an 88.7 percent growth rate. However, New York-Newark-Jersey City in New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania had the highest numerical growth in senior renters during that time, totaling 275,905 people.

The report adds that these seniors are shifting their priorities and "stepping away from the burdens of homeownership" in order to live closer to family, downsize, or cut costs to simplify their standard of living.

"A Harris Poll survey showed that the older crowd now has a lower threshold for interest rates when buying, meaning they’re more sensitive to the financial burden of a mortgage," the report's author wrote. "Downsizing from larger family homes, avoiding costs and upkeep tied to ownership, and prioritizing proximity to family or medical services are also among potential motivators for renting."

Point2Homes also points out that this "senior renter boom" can be linked to the (oddly named) trend of elderly "baby chasers," meaning grandparents who choose to relocate to be closer to their grandchildren.

Senior renter demographics in Houston
The report also analyzed Houston's share of renters based on age group. Predictably, the highest share (29.3 percent) of Houston's renter population is between the ages of 25-34, with the second highest share (21.2 percent) falling to residents aged between 35-44.

Only 9.7 percent of Houston's entire renter population is between the ages of 55-64, while 9.4 percent are seniors aged 65 and up. The metro's youngest demographic of renters, aged 18-24, only make up 16.5 percent of all Houston-area renters. That leaves the remaining 13.9 percent of Houston renters falling into the 45-54 age bracket.

Senior renters in other Texas metros
Austin-Round Rock had the third-highest growth rate in senior renters from 2013-2023 nationwide, while the growth rate in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington came out to 66.5 percent as the fifth-highest increase.

DFW also ranked as the metro with the second-highest growth rate in senior renters in Texas. The Metroplex gained 78,218 senior renters, making it the metro with the No. 1 highest numerical change in renters aged 65-plus in Texas.

San Antonio-New Braunfels ranked No. 62 out of all 75 U.S. metros with only a 24 percent increase in senior renters from 2013-2023, and the metro gained 11,257 senior renters.

The top 10 U.S. metros that had the highest increases in senior renters over the last decade are:

No. 1 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana (88.7 percent)
No. 2 – Jacksonville, Florida (83.7 percent)
No. 3 – Austin-Round Rock, Texas (81.1 percent)
No. 4 – New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana (69.7 percent)
No. 5 – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (66.5 percent)
No. 6 – Raleigh, North Carolina (63.5 percent)
No. 7 – Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut (60.4 percent)
No. 8 – Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (60.3 percent)
No. 9 – Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida (54.1 percent)
No. 10 – Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina (53.5 percent)

property taxes real estate rent rent report seniors houston the woodlands sugar land

living history

Houston-area ranch tied to Stephen F. Austin hits the market at $14.8M

Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

The historic Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch in Sealy is listed for $14.8 million.

If you can rustle up $14.8 million, you can purchase a 91-acre ranch nearly 50 miles west of Houston that’s a piece of Texas history.

The Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch, situated about eight miles east of Sealy near I-10, is located on property within Stephen F. Austin land-grant territory.

In the early 1800s, Austin — nicknamed the “Father of Texas” — obtained land grants to colonize what then was part of Mexico. The number of land-grant recipients totaled 297, including Austin, according to the Texas State Historical Commission. The settlers came to be known as Austin’s Old 300, even though the number of grantees was three shy of that number.

Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch The 91-acre property on the banks of the Brazos River has its own winery and vineyard.Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Nestled along the Brazos River, the Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch (3401 Pueblo Viejo Ln., Sealy) was designed by Kai Geschke and built by Kirksey Homes in 2020. The 6,777-square-foot main house features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two partial bathrooms.

“The single-story main home showcases masterful craftsmanship, premium finishes, and a timeless design with world-class masonry and woodworking found throughout the property,” say real estate agents Walter Bering and Linda Plant of Houston-based Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, which has the listing.

Former polo players John Hall and Leigh Anne Schnell Hall are selling the ranch. They’re the father and stepmother of trophy-winning professional polo player Jeff Hall.

Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch The unique eight-stall barn is inspired by a legendary Argentine polo barn.Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

A barn on the estate is inspired by a legendary Argentine polo barn and features eight oversized stalls, air-conditioned tack room, reclaimed algarrobo doors, quebracho wood countertops, and vintage railroad spikes as functional art.

Highlights of the gated estate include:

Primary suite with river views.
Guest suite with kitchenette.
His-and-hers offices.
Gym and sauna.
Screened-in porch.
Butler’s pantry.
Infinity-edge swimming pool.
Winery and vineyard.
Barn with eight horse stalls and a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment equipped with a kitchen.
Staff quarters with three apartments and a 3,200-square-foot equipment shop.
125-kilowatt power generator.

Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

The historic Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch in Sealy is listed for $14.8 million.

ranch for sale history luxury real estate home-for-sale