New NAHB research reveals where older Americans live, how long they stay and the opportunities for builders developing 55+ housing and 55+ communities.
As America’s population ages, housing preferences among adults 55 and older are creating opportunities for home builders, developers and communities across metro Atlanta. Two recent studies from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveal an interesting combination: most older Americans still live in traditional single-family homes, while construction of age-restricted housing is increasing.
These findings highlight the importance of offering housing choices that support changing lifestyles, from aging in place to moving into new 55+ resort lifestyle communities.
Single-Family Homes Remain the Top Choice for Adults 55+
According to NAHB’s September 2026 housing analysis, approximately 103 million Americans were age 55 or older in 2024.
Single-family detached homes remain the most common housing type for this demographic. More than 72% of adults ages 55 to 74 lived in detached homes, compared to approximately 70% of those ages 75 to 84 and 58% of adults 85 and older.
Homeownership is also particularly strong among older Americans. Households headed by someone 55 or older occupied approximately 61.5 million housing units, representing 46.3% of all occupied homes nationwide. Of those households, 78% owned their homes.
Another interesting finding? More than half of homeowners 55 and older own their homes. In other words, they don’t have a mortgage.
For home builders, these statistics reinforce the importance of understanding a demographic that often has substantial home equity and the flexibility to make housing decisions based on lifestyle rather than necessity.
More Older Homeowners Are Aging in Place
While new 55+ communities continue to attract buyers, many older Americans also choose to remain in their existing homes. We suspect this is due to the lock-in-effect of having a low mortgage rate or no mortgage at all.
NAHB found that approximately 29% of homeowners 55 and older have lived in their current homes for at least 30 years. Another 23% have remained in place for 20 to 29 years.
The research also reveals that nearly half of homeowners 55 and older live in houses built before 1980.
These findings point to growing opportunities for remodeling, home maintenance and aging-in-place improvements. Features such as main-level primary suites, zero-step entries, wider doorways and accessible bathrooms can help homeowners remain comfortable and independent as their needs change.
For buyers considering a move, newer homes offering these same features may provide an attractive alternative to renovating an older property.
Age-Restricted Housing Construction Is Growing
A separate October 2026 NAHB report found that 16% of NAHB builder members constructed age-restricted housing in 2025.
Although that percentage was slightly below the previous year’s 17%, participation has remained relatively consistent since NAHB began tracking the category in 2009.
Larger builders are more likely to participate in the market. Among companies with at least 100 housing starts in 2025, 36% reported building age-restricted housing, compared with fewer than 20% of smaller builders.
Despite the relatively limited share of participating builders, construction activity increased. Approximately 47,000 homes were started in age-restricted communities in 2025, an increase of more than 9% from the previous year.
The numbers suggest that age-restricted housing remains a specialized segment of the homebuilding industry, even as production expands.
What Do These Trends Mean for Metro Atlanta’s 55+ Housing Market?
For metro Atlanta homebuyers, the research illustrates why housing options for adults 55 and older are becoming increasingly diverse.
Traditional single-family homes remain popular, but new 55+ resort lifestyle communities offer an alternative for buyers interested in lower-maintenance living, social opportunities and amenities designed around their interests.
Many newer communities emphasize features such as:
- Single-level living and main-level primary suites
- Low-maintenance homes and landscaping
- Clubhouses, fitness centers and swimming pools
- Pickleball courts, walking trails and outdoor recreation
- Flexible floor plans for entertaining, hobbies and visiting family
Not every buyer 55 or older wants to downsize. Some prefer a similarly sized home with a more functional layout, newer construction and less maintenance. Others want a smaller home that allows more time for travel, recreation and community activities.
The distinction between age-restricted and age-targeted communities also matters. Age-restricted communities have specific occupancy requirements, while age-targeted communities may offer similar homes and amenities without restricting residents by age.
55+ New Home Communities Offer More Choices in Metro Atlanta
For buyers ready to make a move, metro Atlanta offers a variety of new-home communities designed around the needs and preferences of adults 55 and older. From thoughtfully designed ranch homes to resort-style neighborhoods with extensive amenities, builders are responding to demand for homes that combine comfort, convenience and opportunities to connect with neighbors. Two builders offering options in the Atlanta market are Kolter Homes and Patrick Malloy Communities, each with communities that emphasize low-maintenance living and lifestyle-focused home designs.
For buyers seeking a more extensive resort lifestyle, Kolter Homes offers its Cresswind 55+ communities across the Atlanta area. Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes in Hoschton features a lakeside setting, an expansive clubhouse and a large private pickleball complex. Cresswind at Spring Haven in Newnan offers a new generation of Cresswind floor plans and amenities designed around fitness, recreation and social connections. Kolter Homes also has Cresswind at Dawson Springs planned for Dawsonville. With options ranging from smaller, efficient designs to larger homes with flexible living spaces, Cresswind demonstrates how today’s 55+ buyers can right-size their homes without downsizing their lifestyles.
Patrick Malloy Communities is also meeting demand for 55+ resort lifestyle living with two actively selling communities in metro Atlanta. Soleil Belmont Park in Canton, with homes priced from the $500,000s to $900,000s, offers low-maintenance single-family homes and an expansive resort clubhouse with fitness facilities, pickleball courts and social gathering spaces. Soleil Summit Chase in Snellville, with homes priced from the $400,000s to $700,000s, recently celebrated the grand opening of its community resort, featuring recreational amenities and opportunities for residents to connect. Both communities reflect growing interest in homes that offer the comfort of detached living with the convenience and social opportunities of a resort lifestyle.
The Future of 55+ Housing Is About Choice
The two NAHB studies point to an important conclusion: there is no single housing solution for America’s aging population.
Some homeowners will remain in their longtime residences and invest in improvements. Others will move closer to family, seek smaller homes or choose communities that offer amenities and opportunities to connect with neighbors.
For Atlanta-area builders and developers, understanding these differences will be increasingly important as the 55+ population grows.
Whether homeowners choose to age in place or make a move, the demand for comfortable, functional homes designed for changing lifestyles is likely to remain an important part of the housing market.
