According to U.S. Census data collected over the last year, 8.3% of homes are vacant, or one in every twelve, which is a higher percentage than in any of the other surrounding counties. As the Business Times notes, "one of the most coveted places in the world to live in, has more than 30,000 empty homes... beat[ing] the statewide average of 8.1 percent or 1.1 million unoccupied housing units." And even though foreclosure rates in the East Bay are some of the highest in the country, Alameda County still only has 6.4% vacancy. [SF Biz Times]