ABSTRACT

This chapter begins with the number of American Indian housing units in tribal areas, using census data for 2000 and for earlier periods. It describes data sources germane to the study of housing in Indian country and derives from those sources some basic characteristics e.g., number, tenure, and quality of Native American housing in tribal areas. The chapter focuses on Native American housing units in tribal areas, the broader picture of all housing units in tribal areas deserves brief mention as well. It provides a context for considering the range of housing characteristics found in Indian country, pointing out some traits shared with nonmetropolitan housing. The housing profile encompasses such basic housing features as structural type, age and size, housing unit values and rents, and several other characteristics. In contrast, 18 percent of all owner-occupied, American Indian housing units in tribal areas in 2000 were mobile homes—twice the nationwide rate.