Almost 80 percent of people in the US consider homeownership a part of the "American Dream" — but with house prices now unaffordable for many Americans, that dream has never been further out of reach.

Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Chartr visualized the median age of US homebuyers since 1981 — and highlighted that first-time buyers are the oldest they've been in recorded history.

In 2024, the typical American first-time homebuyer is a record 38 years old, up from 35 the year before. Repeat buyers have also gotten older, with the median age jumping from 58 to 61.

What's more, the NAR's report found that the median age of all US homebuyers rose to 56 this year — an increase of 44 percent compared to just two decades ago.

Via Chartr/Voronoi.