A widely disseminated story illustrates just how math-illiterate our reporters and editors are.
1 in 9 housing units vacant
The actual statistics (FROM THE SAME STORY) are...
Fourth-quarter 2008 vacancy rates for all types of housing:
Rental: 2008: 10.1%
Homeowner: 2008: 2.9%
First of all, this includes RENTALS. Secondly basic arithmetic would point out the fact that the real number would have to fall somewhere between 10.1% and 2.9%, which can't possibly be 1 out of 9. But in any event 1 in 34 is the true headline, but I guess that wouldn't have quite the same shock value. No wonder the press is dying.
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