In Australia, before 1940s or so might be "character", 1960s might be "conventional" (said generally with distaste) and recent/new might be 2005+. Character houses are usually improved (with a matching or contemporary extension) and conventional houses are often demolished.
If modern is dual pane windows, proper insulation, mixed use, multiple stories... this is still quite rare in California and only allowed to become common in new buildings ten years ago due to nimbys blocking any new development.
Populations grow, so expecting everyone to live in homes from a century ago simply won't work.