While the sticker shock of traditional housing sends many reeling, the manufactured home industry quietly shipped over 461,000 new homes in 2022 alone, a powerful testament to its crucial role in providing affordable American homeownership.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. manufactured housing industry shipped 461,172 homes, marking a 7.3% increase from 2021
- Multi-section manufactured homes made up 58% of total shipments in 2022, totaling 267,000 units
- Single-section manufactured homes shipments dropped to 194,172 units in 2022, representing 42% of total shipments
- The average sales price of a new manufactured home in the U.S. reached $128,800 in 2022, up 12.5% from the previous year
- The total value of manufactured home shipments in the U.S. was $47.2 billion in 2022
- Manufactured homes cost 40% less per square foot than site-built homes, averaging $60 vs $100
- Manufactured homes accounted for 11% of all new single-family homes sold in the U.S. in 2022
- The Southeast region led with 36% of U.S. manufactured home shipments in 2022
- Texas recorded the highest number of shipments at 64,200 manufactured homes in 2022
- Florida saw 42,100 shipments in 2022, second highest in the nation
- 22 million Americans live in manufactured homes, comprising 6.5% of the U.S. housing stock
- Over 50% of manufactured home residents are aged 50 or older
- The median household income for manufactured home owners is $45,000, compared to $68,000 for site-built home owners
- The industry employs over 350,000 workers across manufacturing, retail, and related sectors
- Manufactured housing contributes $25 billion annually to the U.S. GDP
The manufactured home industry grew significantly in 2022 as an affordable housing solution.
Demographics and Ownership
- 22 million Americans live in manufactured homes, comprising 6.5% of the U.S. housing stock
- Over 50% of manufactured home residents are aged 50 or older
- The median household income for manufactured home owners is $45,000, compared to $68,000 for site-built home owners
- 85% of manufactured homes are owned by residents, with 15% rented
- Households headed by seniors (65+) make up 42% of manufactured home residents
- 37% of manufactured home buyers are first-time homebuyers
- 52% of homes placed in communities, 48% on private land in 2022
- 28% of residents are families with children under 18
- Hispanic households: 15% of manufactured home dwellers
- Median age of residents: 54 years old
- 35% of owners have college degree, lower than national 40%
- Poverty rate among residents: 20%, double national average
- 55% of homes built 1990 or later remain in service
- 62% of residents white, 15% Hispanic, 12% Black
- Female-headed households: 25%
- Veterans: 12% of residents, higher than national 7%
- Disability rate: 25% among residents
Demographics and Ownership Interpretation
While manufactured homes provide crucial, often resident-owned housing for over 22 million Americans—especially seniors, veterans, and first-time buyers—their concentration of older, lower-income, and disabled residents underscores a stark vulnerability in the nation's affordable housing foundation.
Economic Impact
- The industry employs over 350,000 workers across manufacturing, retail, and related sectors
- Manufactured housing contributes $25 billion annually to the U.S. GDP
- The industry generated $7 billion in state and local taxes in 2022
- Industry supports 200,000 construction jobs indirectly
- Annual wage in manufacturing: $55,000 average
- $4.5 billion in federal tax revenue from industry in 2022
- 10% of U.S. workforce in affordable housing is in manufactured sector
- $1.2 billion in retail commissions paid in 2022
- Retailers: 2,500 locations nationwide
- Community operators: 1,800 companies managing 50,000 properties
- $16 billion in property taxes from communities
- 100,000 service/installer jobs supported
- Supplier chain: $10 billion annual spend
Economic Impact Interpretation
While often overlooked, the manufactured housing industry is a massive and surprisingly prosperous economic engine, quietly employing hundreds of thousands, generating billions in taxes, and forming the backbone of affordable housing for countless Americans.
Market Share
- Manufactured homes accounted for 11% of all new single-family homes sold in the U.S. in 2022
Market Share Interpretation
Despite being the underdog of American housing, manufactured homes quietly made up more than one in ten new single-family sales in 2022, proving affordability can't be sidelined.
Market Size and Revenue
- The average sales price of a new manufactured home in the U.S. reached $128,800 in 2022, up 12.5% from the previous year
- The total value of manufactured home shipments in the U.S. was $47.2 billion in 2022
- Manufactured homes cost 40% less per square foot than site-built homes, averaging $60 vs $100
- Retail sales of manufactured homes reached $18.5 billion in 2022
- Multi-section home average price was $148,200 in 2022, up 13%
- Single-section home average price was $92,600 in 2022, up 11%
- 2022 saw 15% rise in retail price per square foot to $85
- Average monthly lot rent in communities: $450
- 15% increase in lot rents 2021-2022
- Average dealer margin: 25% on home sales
- 50% of sales cash or owner-financed
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
The manufactured housing market, where homes are still a relative bargain per square foot, is galloping toward the unaffordable with double-digit price hikes and rising lot rents, proving that even the affordable housing sector is not immune to the nation's inflationary fever.
Production and Shipments
- In 2022, the U.S. manufactured housing industry shipped 461,172 homes, marking a 7.3% increase from 2021
- Multi-section manufactured homes made up 58% of total shipments in 2022, totaling 267,000 units
- Single-section manufactured homes shipments dropped to 194,172 units in 2022, representing 42% of total shipments
- Average factory construction time for a manufactured home is 5.5 days
- There are 165 HUD-code manufacturing plants operating in 44 states, producing homes for all 50 states
- In 2023 Q1, shipments totaled 105,954 units, down 16% from Q1 2022
- 8.5 million manufactured homes were built between 1976 and 2022 under HUD code
- In 2021, shipments hit 372,000 units, lowest since 2014
- There are 43,000 community lot spaces developed annually
- Shipments in July 2023: 46,195 units, down 19% YoY
- June 2023 shipments: 47,904 units, down 24% YoY
- Multi-section shipments Q2 2023: 66% of total
- Inventory at factories end 2022: 12,000 homes
- Retail inventory averaged 25,000 homes in 2022
- Average home size: 1,590 sq ft for multi-section in 2022
- 3-bedroom homes: 70% of shipments
- 2023 H1 shipments: 195,000 units, down 10% YoY
- August 2023 shipments: 42,500 units estimated, down 25%
- 2022 peak monthly shipments: December 48,772 units
- Lowest 2022 month: February 34,000 units
- 70% of production from top 10 manufacturers
- Champion Homes market share: 15%
- Skyline-Champion merger boosted capacity 20%
- September 2023 shipments forecast: 41,000 down 28%
- 2022 export shipments: 5,000 units to Canada/Mexico
- 30 plants closed since 2008, capacity down 50%
- Average plant output: 2,800 homes/year
- 2023 Q3 shipments: projected 125,000 units
Production and Shipments Interpretation
While navigating a rollercoaster of market shifts and consolidation, the manufactured housing industry demonstrates its resilient role in American affordability by efficiently building more spacious, multi-section homes in mere days, even as it contends with recent shipment dips and a long-term contraction in production capacity.
Regional Distribution
- The Southeast region led with 36% of U.S. manufactured home shipments in 2022
- Texas recorded the highest number of shipments at 64,200 manufactured homes in 2022
- Florida saw 42,100 shipments in 2022, second highest in the nation
- The Midwest region accounted for 20% of shipments in 2022 with 92,200 units
- 65% of new manufactured homes are installed in rural areas
- The West region had 18% of shipments in 2022, totaling 83,000 units
- Northeast shipments were lowest at 8% or 36,800 units in 2022
- Georgia shipments: 38,400 in 2022
- North Carolina: 37,200 shipments in 2022
- Arizona: 28,500 shipments in 2022
- California shipments: 22,100 in 2022
- Michigan: 21,300 shipments in 2022
- South Carolina: 20,800 shipments
- Southeast Q1 2023: 38% of national shipments
- Texas Q1 2023 shipments: 15,200 units
- Oregon shipments: 12,500 in 2022
- Indiana: 18,200 shipments
- Alabama shipments: 16,700 in 2022
- Kentucky: 15,900 shipments
- Louisiana shipments: 14,200 in 2022
- Tennessee: 19,500 shipments
- Washington state shipments: 8,900 in 2022
- Ohio: 17,600 shipments
Regional Distribution Interpretation
While the Northeast's urban centers debate tiny houses, the South and Midwest are quietly winning the affordable housing race, one rural driveway at a time.
Trends and Forecasts
- 2023 projected shipments: 400,000-450,000 units
- Post-HUD code (1976), homes are 30% larger on average, now 1,800 sq ft
- Zoning restrictions affect 40% of U.S. land for manufactured homes
- 75% of manufactured homes today meet ENERGY STAR standards
- Average energy savings: 40% lower utility bills vs site-built
- 2024 forecast: shipments to rebound to 500,000+ with lower rates
- 60% of buyers finance with chattel loans at 12% interest avg
- FHA Title I loans for homes: $69,678 avg amount
- 25% growth in FHA 203B loans for homes on owned land
- Adoption of smart home tech in 30% of new homes
- Modular vs HUD-code: HUD-code 90% of factory-built market
- 40 states have state admin agencies overseeing HUD code
- Post-2008 crash recovery: shipments up 200% from low of 50k in 2009
- Replacement demand: 250,000 units/year from old stock
- New household formation drives 60% of demand
- Interest rates impact: 1% rise reduces shipments 10%
- Green building certifications in 20% of new plants
- EV charging readiness in 10% of new communities
- 85% homes titled as personal property
- Reform push: 50 states need personal property to realty conversion
Trends and Forecasts Interpretation
While battling a thicket of zoning restrictions and the peculiar burden of chattel loans, the manufactured home industry, now building larger, smarter, and far more efficient dwellings, is poised for a significant rebound as it strives to shed its personal property stigma and meet the urgent demand for affordable housing.