The State of America's HOAs in 2025: The Numbers That Matter
A data-driven review of how HOAs operate, how quickly the sector is expanding, and what today's numbers mean for community governance, elections, and management.
HOAs have become one of the most influential forces in American housing. Nearly a third of all homes are governed by an association, and the systems that support these communities affect tens of millions of residents and trillions of dollars in real estate value.
This page consolidates the most important data from national research bodies and the U.S. Census so HOA managers, portfolio managers, and board leaders can understand the realities shaping modern community governance.
SECTION 1
The Scale of HOAs
HOAs have become a national governance system of their own
HOAs, condo associations, and co-ops operate across the United States
Residents currently live in HOA communities
Homes in America are governed by an HOA
Since 1970, rising from about 10,000 to nearly 370,000
Industry Insight
HOAs have quietly become one of the largest decentralized governance systems in the country. Their operational quality directly affects millions of households every day and requires governance processes that match the scale.
SECTION 2
Rapid Growth and Expanding Workloads
New homes now almost always come with an HOA
Of new homes sold recently were part of HOA communities
New associations added each year in the U.S.
New HOAs created every day
Growth in HOA resident populations over the last decade
Industry Insight
The HOA model is expanding faster than the systems used to manage it. This growth increases the volume of elections, decisions, and governance responsibilities for managers and boards.
SECTION 3
The Financial Weight of HOAs
The money managed by HOAs is enormous
Owner households pay HOA or condo fees
Average monthly fee range for many communities
Households pay more than $500/month
HOA assessments per year
Properties inside HOAs represent in housing value
Industry Insight
Communities managing hundreds of millions or billions of dollars annually require governance processes that are auditable, clear, and easy to communicate. Every decision a board makes interacts with homeowner money.
SECTION 4
Who Governs HOAs
A mix of professional managers and volunteer boards
Homeowners serve on HOA boards and committees
Professional community managers
Of all HOAs are fully self-managed
Industry Insight
Most board members are volunteers with limited administrative training. Governance systems must support them with clarity, simplicity, and reliable processes for key responsibilities like elections and approvals.
SECTION 5
The Geography of HOA Intensity
Some states rely heavily on HOAs
- •States like California, Florida, and Colorado have some of the highest HOA density
- •In several markets, 40–45 percent of all homes are within HOAs
- •Densely populated, high-fee states see more governance scrutiny, questions, and demands
Industry Insight
Where HOAs are common, expectations for governance quality are higher. Boards and managers experience more oversight, more questions, and more demand for transparency.
SECTION 6
Homeowner Sentiment and Trust
How owners feel about HOAs is split
Many owners report satisfaction with their community association
A significant portion believe HOAs have too much power
About 10 percent of owners have considered selling due to HOA issues
A noticeable share believe fees are too high for the value delivered
Industry Insight
The tension within HOAs rarely comes from structure alone. It comes from trust. Clear elections, transparent decision-making, and visible governance processes reduce friction inside communities.
SECTION 7
Rules, Violations, and Everyday Conflict
Most owners are compliant, but issues still arise
Most homeowners report never receiving a violation
When violations occur, the most common complaints involve:
- Landscaping and curb appeal
- Design modifications
- Fencing and exterior changes
- Trash and pet issues
Different age groups prioritize different complaints, creating mixed expectations
Industry Insight
Community conflict is rarely about major issues. It is usually about perception, fairness, and communication. Predictable governance processes help reduce time spent mediating disputes.
SECTION 8
Rising Costs and Higher Expectations
Inflation and insurance are putting pressure on HOAs
Of HOAs report unexpected cost increases
Many boards are raising fees by this amount or more
Rising dues lead to increased owner scrutiny and more governance questions
Industry Insight
Higher fees raise homeowner expectations. Boards and managers must demonstrate clear, transparent processes when making financial and operational decisions.
SECTION 9
Elections as the Center of Legitimacy
Everything in a community flows from its elections
Elections determine who sets budgets, approves projects, interprets CC&Rs, and handles disputes. When election processes are manual, confusing, or hard to verify, every subsequent decision becomes more sensitive.
Industry Insight
Fair, well-run elections create community stability. They reduce disputes, clarify authority, and help boards act with confidence and legitimacy.
SECTION 10
Governance as an Industry Priority
Modern HOAs require modern governance
As HOAs expand in size, financial impact, and resident expectations, the systems used to manage elections, approvals, and decision-making must evolve. Boards, managers, and operators increasingly prioritize tools that offer transparency, auditability, and reliability.
Industry Insight
The future of HOA governance is proactive, data-driven, and transparent. Communities that adopt modern processes reduce conflict, enhance trust, and operate more efficiently.
About TrueHOA
TrueHOA develops modern governance tools under the Verified Governance™ framework for homeowner community associations.
TrueHOA focuses on transparent, verifiable, and easy-to-run elections.
Our mission is to support boards and managers with systems that improve decision quality, reduce disputes, and strengthen trust, value and harmony in the communities they serve.