Texas and Florida Issued the Most Single-Family Permits in 2021

Texas and Florida accounted for approximately 30% of all single-family permits issued in the United States in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 1.1 million single-family permits issued to builders last year, Texas received the highest number with 179,620, followed by Florida at 148,735 and North Carolina at 68,636.

The top 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 62.6% of the total single-family permits issued in 2021.

Between 2021and 2022, 48 states and the District of Columbia saw growth in single-family permits issued. The District of Columbia recorded the highest growth rate during this time at 170.5%, going from 139 permits to 376, followed by Florida (+29.1%), and Maine (+25.3%). Maryland and Montana reported declines in single-family permits during this time.

In 2021, Idaho had the highest number of per capita single-family permits issued as a result of domestic migration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. South Carolina, Utah, Delaware, and Florida round out the top five states in 2021.

Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.