Table 6. Homeownership Rates by Area: First Quarter 1997 and 1996 Area First First Standard Standard quarter quarter error on error on 1997 1996 1997 rate difference United States..................... 65.4 65.1 0.2 0.2 Inside MAs...................... 63.4 63.0 0.2 0.3 In central cities.............. 49.8 49.2 0.3 0.5 Not in central cities (suburbs) 72.1 71.9 0.2 0.3 Outside MAs..................... 73.4 73.8 0.4 0.5 Northeast........................ 61.6 61.4 0.4 0.6 Midwest.......................... 70.6 70.4 0.4 0.5 South............................ 67.8 67.5 0.3 0.4 West............................. 59.0 58.9 0.4 0.6