Strong Single-Family Permit Gains to Start the Year
The total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 164,901— a 16.6% increase over February 2020. Single-family permits increased in all four regions, with the Midwest reporting the strongest increase (24%) and the West reporting the smallest increase (13.6%).
Growth in single-family permits occurred in 44 states and the District of Columbia, while six states registered a decline. The District of Columbia recorded the highest growth rate (308.3%), with an increase from 12 to 49, while single-family permits in Vermont declined by 17.7%, from 124 in 2020 to 102 in 2021.
The 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 63.8% of the total single-family permits issued.
Here are top 10 metro areas that issued the highest number of single-family permits:
| Metropolitan Statistical Area | Single-Family Permits: February (Units # YTD, NSA) |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,204 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 7,605 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 5,906 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5,459 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 3,763 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 3,190 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,074 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,521 |
| Raleigh, NC | 2,383 |
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | 2,348 |
Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, provides more in this Eye on Housing post.