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
Oct 17, 2025
Put Your Guard Up: Guardrails Protect EveryoneGuardrail Safety Week is Oct. 20-24, and each year, NAHB partners with Builders Mutual, an insurance company focused on construction companies, in their Put Your Guard Up campaign to highlight the importance of installing guardrails on openings during construction.
Oct 17, 2025
How Diverse Is the Construction Workforce?Diversifying the construction labor force remains a key priority amid persistent skilled labor shortages. The most notable trend has been the steady rise of Hispanic participation, according to the American Community Survey.
Latest Economic News
Oct 17, 2025
Better Growth, Larger Deficits: CBO Fiscal OutlookThe Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a key nonpartisan score keeper that measures the effects of policy changes by the Federal Government. With several policy changes since January of this year, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), stricter immigration, and higher tariffs, the CBO updated its economic projections through 2028.
Oct 16, 2025
Amid Market Challenges, Builder Expectations Rise in OctoberEven as builders continue to grapple with market and macroeconomic uncertainty, sentiment levels posted a solid gain in October as future sales expectations surpassed the 50-point breakeven mark for the first time since last January.
Oct 15, 2025
Builders Stay Cautious as Single-Family Permits WeakenIn August, single-family permit activity softened, reflecting caution among developers amid persistent economic headwinds. This trend has been consistent for eight continuous months.