Community Corner
Census: Decade Later, More Union City and East Bay Dwellings Unoccupied
Census data released this week show just how many more empty homes the East Bay had in 2010 compared with 2000.
The number of homes that are unoccupied has doubled in the East Bay – and more than tripled in Union City – during the past decade.
Census figures show the vacancy rate rose sharply in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties between 2000 and 2010.
It more than doubled in the cities of Benicia, Castro Valley, Concord, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Pinole, San Leandro and San Lorenzo.
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In Union City, the number of unoccupied units jumped from 235 to 825 units.
The census figures don’t reveal what percentage of the vacancies are single-family homes, apartments, condominiums or mobile homes.
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However, it appears the real estate market collapse the past three years and the increase in foreclosures has played a major role.
“I’m surprised at these numbers,” said Wayne Gregori with Gregori Group Real Estate. However, he acknowledged, “There is a lot of word on the street about real estate agents getting into the short sale business.”
In Alameda County, the number of living units went from slightly more than 540,000 in 2000 to 582,000 in 2010. However, the number of unoccupied residences jumped from 16,817 to 37,411. The vacancy rate climbed from about 3 percent to 6 percent.
In Contra Costa County, the number of living units increased from 354,000 in 2000 to 400,000 in 2010. The number of unoccupied residences leaped from 10,448 to 24,899. The vacancy rate rose from about 2.5 percent to 6 percent.
Most communities in these counties experienced similar increases, no matter what their socio-economic demographics.
Albany went from 237 unoccupied living units in 2000 to 488 in 2010, despite only a small rise in the total number of living units. The vacancy rate rose from about 3 percent to more than 6 percent.
Concord went from 1,083 vacant living units to 2,847 in 2010, sending its vacancy rate from about 2.5 percent to 6 percent.
Walnut Creek rose from 1,124 unoccupied living units to 2,238 units in 2010, increasing its vacancy rate from about 3.5 percent to 7 percent.
Even the high-income enclave of Diablo went from 6 unoccupied dwellings in 2000 to 27 in 2010. Its vacancy went from less than 2 percent to 6 percent.
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