It may be harder to accomplish in today's dour economy, but owning their own home continues to be the overriding dream of the majority of American families.

That's according to a recent home buyer poll conducted by TD Bank.

The bank wanted to find out if owning a home continues to be a vital component of the American dream.

The bank compiled the following statistics:

• 59 percent of respondents say owning a home is vital in defining the American dream

• The majority of today’s younger renters (18-34) intend to buy a home (84 percent)

• When describing how they felt when they first purchased a home, 56 percent said "excited"

• And, finally, 24 percent of current homeowners said they intend to sell their current home and buy up in the future.