U.S. housing conditions improved markedly from 1950 to 1975, especially in nonmetropolitan areas: nonmetro homeownership increased from 60 to 72 percent; the proportion occupying substandard units declined from 59 to 8 percent; crowded conditions declined from 19 to 6 percent; the percentage occupying centrally heated homes rose from 23 to 58 percent; and those living in single family homes valued at more than $12,000 (constant dollars) rose from 13 to 29 percent, while those living in homes valued at less than $4,000 declined from 36 to 15 percent. Several factors played an important role in this improvement; the rise in household incomes, construction of new housing far exceeding net household formations, and activity of Federal, State, and local governments. Despite improvements, 1.9 million households occupied nonmetro substandard units in 1975. The poor, the blacks, and the aged still occupy a large proportion of the poor housing.