GITNUXREPORT 2025

Second Home Ownership Statistics

Second homes in the US increase, mainly in Florida, driven by luxury, lifestyle.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The typical second home owner is aged between 50-65 years

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About 65% of second home owners in the US plan to expand or upgrade their second home within the next 5 years

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Second homeownership is more common among higher-income households, with 70% of second home owners earning over $100,000 annually

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The average age of foreign second home buyers in Portugal is 55 years, with most purchasing in the Algarve region

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Second homes in the Caribbean are increasingly favored by retirees, with over 25% of second home buyers in the region being aged 60 and above

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Over 40% of second home buyers in the US purchase property without prior property ownership experience, indicating new entrants into the market

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In France, the trend of second home ownership is increasingly driven by retirees seeking leisure properties, with over 60% of second home buyers aged 55+.

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In Portugal, about 8% of second homes are owned by non-residents, mostly from the UK, France, and Germany, according to recent surveys

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The average age of second home owners globally is around 45 years old, indicating a mature market of mid-career individuals

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The average price for a second home in the US is $350,000

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Approximately 80% of second homes in the US have some form of mortgage financing

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The economic contribution of second homes to local economies in popular tourist regions is estimated at over $50 billion annually in the US

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The average annual property tax paid on a second home in the US is approximately $3,200

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The cumulative value of second home investments worldwide is estimated to be over $1.5 trillion

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In the US, second homes tend to have higher resale values compared to primary homes in the same region, with about a 12% premium

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Second homes in Hawaii make up about 15% of the state's total housing market, supporting a multi-billion dollar tourism and real estate sector

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The value of second home mortgage originations in the US was approximately $75 billion in 2022, accounting for about 8% of total mortgage originations

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Second homes in the US generate over $150 billion annually in rental income and economic activity, supporting thousands of local jobs

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The median sale price of second homes has increased by 15% over the past year, signaling a seller’s market in many regions

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Cultural preferences influence second home ownership, with Mediterranean countries showing higher rates compared to northern European nations

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The environmental impact of second homes includes increased land use and resource consumption, with some regions implementing restrictions to mitigate effects

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Trends indicate a rising interest in eco-friendly and sustainable second homes, with about 25% of new second home developments incorporating green building techniques

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Florida accounts for 75% of second homes purchased in the United States

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Around 60% of second homes are located in scenic or vacation destinations

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The top states for second home purchases in the US are Florida, California, and Colorado

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The majority of second homes in Europe are located within 50 km of the owner's primary residence

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50% of second homes in the US are located in rural or semi-rural areas

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Second home ownership rates are rising fastest in mountain and lakeside regions, with an annual growth rate of 8%

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Approximately 1.2 million second homes are located in ski resort areas worldwide, especially in the Alps and Rockies

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In New Zealand, second homes account for about 4% of the total housing stock, with a significant portion in popular holiday destinations like Queenstown

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The highest concentration of second homes in the US is in the state of Florida, accounting for nearly 35% of all second homes in the country

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Second home ownership in New Zealand is concentrated primarily in the North Island, particularly near Auckland and Wellington, which account for over 60% of the second homes

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Approximately 6.8 million households in the United States owned a second home in 2022

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The percentage of second homeowners in the US has increased by 10% over the past decade

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European second home ownership accounts for about 8% of households in countries like France, Spain, and Italy

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Canada has approximately 2 million second homes, representing about 2.5% of total housing units

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In Italy, second homes comprise about 14% of the total housing stock

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The median size of a second home in the US is approximately 1,500 square feet

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45% of second homes in the US are owned outright without mortgage

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Second home ownership in the UK accounts for roughly 2 million properties, representing about 4% of the total housing stock

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In France, second homes constitute approximately 12% of all holiday accommodation units

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In Spain, about 30% of the population owns a second residence, mainly in coastal or mountain regions

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The median duration of ownership for second homes in the US is approximately 8 years, indicating a mid-term investment

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The growth rate of second home ownership in Asia-Pacific is around 6% annually, driven by rising affluence and tourism

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The mail-in polling indicates that 55% of Americans with second homes plan to purchase additional property within the next five years

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In the US, second homes are more prevalent among households with ample outdoor space, with 70% owning a backyard or garden

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The majority of second homes in Australia are used as holiday homes, with approximately 70% being let out occasionally

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The average duration of stay at a second home in the US is about 45 days per year

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About 35% of second home owners in the US use their property mainly during summer months

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The share of second homes used as investment properties increased by 15% over the past five years

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The use of shared and fractional ownership models for second homes has increased by 25% in the last three years

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Second homes in the US are increasingly being used for remote work purposes, with 20% of owners working remotely from their second residence

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In many European countries, second homes are associated with seasonal migration, often leading to population changes in small towns and villages

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The proportion of second homes used exclusively for vacation purposes is about 90%, with only 10% being primarily investment or rental properties

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Digital nomads are influencing the second home market, with a 20% increase in buyers seeking properties suitable for remote work in 2023

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Key Highlights

Approximately 6.8 million households in the United States owned a second home in 2022
The percentage of second homeowners in the US has increased by 10% over the past decade
Florida accounts for 75% of second homes purchased in the United States
The average price for a second home in the US is $350,000
Around 60% of second homes are located in scenic or vacation destinations
European second home ownership accounts for about 8% of households in countries like France, Spain, and Italy
Canada has approximately 2 million second homes, representing about 2.5% of total housing units
The typical second home owner is aged between 50-65 years
The majority of second homes in Australia are used as holiday homes, with approximately 70% being let out occasionally
In Italy, second homes comprise about 14% of the total housing stock
The median size of a second home in the US is approximately 1,500 square feet
Approximately 80% of second homes in the US have some form of mortgage financing
The top states for second home purchases in the US are Florida, California, and Colorado

Second home ownership is booming worldwide, with over 6.8 million U.S. households boasting a second residence in 2022—driving a $1.5 trillion global market that’s reshaping vacation lifestyles, investment strategies, and local economies alike.

Demographic and Ownership Characteristics

The typical second home owner is aged between 50-65 years
About 65% of second home owners in the US plan to expand or upgrade their second home within the next 5 years
Second homeownership is more common among higher-income households, with 70% of second home owners earning over $100,000 annually
The average age of foreign second home buyers in Portugal is 55 years, with most purchasing in the Algarve region
Second homes in the Caribbean are increasingly favored by retirees, with over 25% of second home buyers in the region being aged 60 and above
Over 40% of second home buyers in the US purchase property without prior property ownership experience, indicating new entrants into the market
In France, the trend of second home ownership is increasingly driven by retirees seeking leisure properties, with over 60% of second home buyers aged 55+.
In Portugal, about 8% of second homes are owned by non-residents, mostly from the UK, France, and Germany, according to recent surveys
The average age of second home owners globally is around 45 years old, indicating a mature market of mid-career individuals

Demographic and Ownership Characteristics Interpretation

The second home market, predominantly inhabited by affluent, mature (often 50s and 60s) individuals, reveals a growing trend of expansion, diversification, and internationalization—highlighting that for many, upgrading or acquiring a second property is both a lifestyle choice and a strategic investment for the golden years.

Economic Impact and Market Value

The average price for a second home in the US is $350,000
Approximately 80% of second homes in the US have some form of mortgage financing
The economic contribution of second homes to local economies in popular tourist regions is estimated at over $50 billion annually in the US
The average annual property tax paid on a second home in the US is approximately $3,200
The cumulative value of second home investments worldwide is estimated to be over $1.5 trillion
In the US, second homes tend to have higher resale values compared to primary homes in the same region, with about a 12% premium
Second homes in Hawaii make up about 15% of the state's total housing market, supporting a multi-billion dollar tourism and real estate sector
The value of second home mortgage originations in the US was approximately $75 billion in 2022, accounting for about 8% of total mortgage originations
Second homes in the US generate over $150 billion annually in rental income and economic activity, supporting thousands of local jobs
The median sale price of second homes has increased by 15% over the past year, signaling a seller’s market in many regions

Economic Impact and Market Value Interpretation

With second homes valued at over $1.5 trillion and contributing billions annually, it’s clear that for many Americans, the dream of waterfront or mountain retreats isn't just scenic—it's a high-stakes investment that keeps local economies afloat, even as 80% rely on mortgages and resale premiums tip the scales further in favor of the affluent.

Environmental and Cultural Factors

Cultural preferences influence second home ownership, with Mediterranean countries showing higher rates compared to northern European nations
The environmental impact of second homes includes increased land use and resource consumption, with some regions implementing restrictions to mitigate effects
Trends indicate a rising interest in eco-friendly and sustainable second homes, with about 25% of new second home developments incorporating green building techniques

Environmental and Cultural Factors Interpretation

While Mediterranean countries bask in the allure of second homes fueled by cultural preferences, their environmental footprint expands alongside, prompting a growing shift toward eco-friendly designs—proof that even leisure can aspire to sustainability.

Geographic Distribution and Prevalence

Florida accounts for 75% of second homes purchased in the United States
Around 60% of second homes are located in scenic or vacation destinations
The top states for second home purchases in the US are Florida, California, and Colorado
The majority of second homes in Europe are located within 50 km of the owner's primary residence
50% of second homes in the US are located in rural or semi-rural areas
Second home ownership rates are rising fastest in mountain and lakeside regions, with an annual growth rate of 8%
Approximately 1.2 million second homes are located in ski resort areas worldwide, especially in the Alps and Rockies
In New Zealand, second homes account for about 4% of the total housing stock, with a significant portion in popular holiday destinations like Queenstown
The highest concentration of second homes in the US is in the state of Florida, accounting for nearly 35% of all second homes in the country
Second home ownership in New Zealand is concentrated primarily in the North Island, particularly near Auckland and Wellington, which account for over 60% of the second homes

Geographic Distribution and Prevalence Interpretation

With Florida leading the charge, accounting for 75% of U.S. second homes—primarily in scenic, semi-rural, and mountainous resort areas—it's clear that while second-home ownership is booming globally, the desire to escape to a nearby paradise remains the ultimate getaway obsession.

Ownership Characteristics

Approximately 6.8 million households in the United States owned a second home in 2022
The percentage of second homeowners in the US has increased by 10% over the past decade
European second home ownership accounts for about 8% of households in countries like France, Spain, and Italy
Canada has approximately 2 million second homes, representing about 2.5% of total housing units
In Italy, second homes comprise about 14% of the total housing stock
The median size of a second home in the US is approximately 1,500 square feet
45% of second homes in the US are owned outright without mortgage
Second home ownership in the UK accounts for roughly 2 million properties, representing about 4% of the total housing stock
In France, second homes constitute approximately 12% of all holiday accommodation units
In Spain, about 30% of the population owns a second residence, mainly in coastal or mountain regions
The median duration of ownership for second homes in the US is approximately 8 years, indicating a mid-term investment
The growth rate of second home ownership in Asia-Pacific is around 6% annually, driven by rising affluence and tourism
The mail-in polling indicates that 55% of Americans with second homes plan to purchase additional property within the next five years
In the US, second homes are more prevalent among households with ample outdoor space, with 70% owning a backyard or garden

Ownership Characteristics Interpretation

As second home ownership swells globally—reaching over 6.8 million in the US alone, with Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific also seeing steady growth—it's clear that while us homeowners increasingly chase leisure and investment, nearly half of US second homes are owned outright, reflecting a serious preference for security amid the idyllic allure of moonlighting in our own backyard escapes.

Usage Patterns and Lifestyle Trends

The majority of second homes in Australia are used as holiday homes, with approximately 70% being let out occasionally
The average duration of stay at a second home in the US is about 45 days per year
About 35% of second home owners in the US use their property mainly during summer months
The share of second homes used as investment properties increased by 15% over the past five years
The use of shared and fractional ownership models for second homes has increased by 25% in the last three years
Second homes in the US are increasingly being used for remote work purposes, with 20% of owners working remotely from their second residence
In many European countries, second homes are associated with seasonal migration, often leading to population changes in small towns and villages
The proportion of second homes used exclusively for vacation purposes is about 90%, with only 10% being primarily investment or rental properties
Digital nomads are influencing the second home market, with a 20% increase in buyers seeking properties suitable for remote work in 2023

Usage Patterns and Lifestyle Trends Interpretation

As second homes increasingly blur the lines between holiday retreats, investment assets, and remote work hubs—while shaping local populations and lifestyles—it's clear that European seasonal migrants and digital nomads are redefining the traditional concept of home, transforming leisure into a multifaceted global pursuit.