Approximately 10.1% of all homes in the United States are vacant, with around 14.5 million houses sitting empty, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data compiled by LendingTree. This widespread vacancy occurs amidst a deepening housing affordability crisis, yet a strikingly small fraction of these unoccupied properties are available for purchase. Fewer than 800,000 vacant homes are currently listed for sale. State-level vacancy rates vary significantly, with Maine reporting the highest overall vacancy rate at 21%, while Connecticut has the lowest at 7%. The report, authored by LendingTree's chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz, emphasizes that the number of vacant homes does not directly translate to increased housing availability for buyers or renters. A key distinction is made between vacant homes and those actively on the market. Several reasons contribute to a home being classified as vacant. Seasonal or recreational use accounts for 32.6% of these properties. Other categories include homes for rent (18.2%), homes for sale (5.5%), properties that have been sold but not yet occupied (4.1%), and those rented but not yet occupied (4.1%). A small percentage, 0.2%, are held for migrant workers. The most common classification for vacant homes, however, is "other," accounting for 35.9% of all vacant properties. This broad category encompasses homes awaiting estate settlements, legal proceedings, repairs, or unspecified personal reasons. Mississippi notably has a high proportion of homes falling into this "other vacant" category, with 9.1% of its total homes classified as such, representing 62.5% of the state's vacant housing stock. Real estate professionals in Mississippi, like Bang Realty broker Teresa Love, observe this trend, noting various reasons for properties remaining unoccupied.