Manufactured Homes Serve as Affordable Options for Millions

Manufactured homes provide an affordable supply option for millions of households across the country. According to the American Housing Survey, per the National Association of Home Builders, there are 7.2 million occupied manufactured homes in the U.S. – equal to 5.4% of total occupied housing. 

While many think of manufactured homes as synonymous with mobile homes and trailers, they are a specific type of factory-built housing that adheres to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards code. This code qualifies a manufactured home as a “movable dwelling, 8 feet or more wide and 40 feet or more long” that is constructed on a permanent chassis. 

In the mid-Atlantic region, manufactured homes make up only 2.2% of total occupied homes. They’re most common in the east southcentral region (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky), where they make up 9.3%. 

Shipments of manufactured homes peaked in the 90s before dropping significantly through 2003. In recent years, the popularity of manufactured homes has fluctuated. Currently, they’re on the rise. 

Additionally, manufactured homes are most popular in rural areas, making up a 53% share compared to single-family homes (24%). 

The affordability of manufactured homes makes them especially desirable. In 2023, manufactured homes cost an average of $86.62 per square foot, compared to single-family homes at $165.9 per square foot. 

c“Although they offer a lower-cost option compared with site-built homes, factors such as an aging housing stock, financing limitations and zoning restrictions could influence their accessibility and long-term viability.”