In 2025, approximately 47,000 homes were built in age-restricted communities, representing 3.45% of all housing starts. According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, roughly two-thirds of these homes (30,000) were single-family units, while the remaining 17,000 were multifamily units.
In 2009, during the depths of the housing downturn, builders started only 17,000 homes in age-restricted communities. The volume of construction increased steadily until reaching 60,000 age-restricted starts (roughly evenly split between single-family and multifamily) in 2018. Starts declined during the pandemic but rebounded in 2021 and 2022. Since then, age-restricted construction has fallen along with the broader decline in overall housing starts.
Age-restricted single-family homes accounted for 3.16% of all single-family housing starts in 2025, unchanged from the previous two years. This share has remained relatively stable since 2009. In contrast, the share of age-restricted multifamily units increased from 3.11% in 2024 to 4.09% in 2025. Even with this increase, the current multifamily share remains well below its peak of roughly 14% in 2010.
Age-restricted single-family homes carried a noticeable price premium in 2025. The median sales price reached $523,000, about 27% higher than the $412,000 median for non-age-restricted homes. Age-restricted homes tend to be larger, averaging 2,500 square feet versus 2,100 square feet. However, the price per square foot remained elevated at $166.20, compared to $153.30 for non-age-restricted homes.
Lot values may help explain part of the price difference. Age-restricted homes were typically built on more expensive lots, with a median value of $64,000 compared to $60,000 for non-age-restricted homes. Despite the higher price, these lots were slightly smaller, averaging 0.19 acres versus 0.20 acres.
