Single-Family Home Size Continues to Trend Higher
COVID-19 has impacted the way many residents use their homes, with an increased desire for space to accommodate added functions such as working from and/or studying at home. Recent housing data confirm the continuation of this trend.
According to third quarter 2021 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area increased to 2,337 square feet, while average square footage for new single-family homes increased to 2,541. These metrics have increased 9.3% and 6.2%, respectively, since Great Recession lows.
This marks a shift from the previous downward trend in home size from 2016 to 2020, during which time more starter homes were developed. NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership | Awards
Apr 16, 2026
HBAs Celebrated for Member Growth and Retention with Grand AwardsThe latest Grand Awards winners include 22 local associations and 10 state associations.
Membership
Apr 15, 2026
NAHB Mourns the Passing of Former Wichita Area BA President and CEO Wess GalyonWesley “Wess” Galyon, who served as president and CEO of the Wichita Area Builders Association for forty years, passed away.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Apr 16, 2026
Young Adults Report More Interest in the Construction Trades: 2026 SurveyNAHB estimates the U.S. has a structural housing deficit of 1.2 million units. Among the myriad of headwinds home builders face trying to close that gap is the industry’s chronic shortage of workers in the construction trades.
Economics
Apr 15, 2026
Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic UncertaintyEconomic uncertainty coupled with rising building material costs and interest rates resulted in a sharp decline in builder sentiment in April as the housing market enters into the heart of the spring buying season.
Economics
Apr 14, 2026
Higher Energy Prices Increase Residential Construction CostsEnergy input prices increased in March at their fastest pace since June of 2020 as the conflict in Iran shocked critical global supply chains. Building material prices, excluding energy, rose for the eleventh straight month. Price growth for trade services slowed while transportation and warehousing price growth accelerated.