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

Construction Statistics
Published
Contact: Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington
[email protected]
AVP, Forecasting & Analysis
(202) 266-8691

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.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy

Nov 19, 2025

NAHB Offers Lawmakers Recommendations on National E-Verify System

NAHB today offered Congress several recommendations to make a national E-Verify employment verification system workable for small businesses and members of the residential construction industry.

Advocacy | Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Podcast: Latest Housing Developments Live from Fall Meeting

In the latest episode of NAHB's podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss recent developments in the housing market live from the NAHB Fall Leadership Meeting in Denver.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Nov 19, 2025

Affordability Impacts: Young Adults Are Once Again Moving Back Home

The share of young adults living with parents increased in 2024, interrupting the post-pandemic trend of moving out of parental homes.

Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Location, Location, Location: How Place and Neighborhood Shape Home Values

The value of a single-family home depends not only on its physical features but also on its location and neighborhood context.

Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Builder Sentiment Relatively Flat in November as Market Headwinds Persist

Market uncertainty exacerbated by the government shutdown along with economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs and rising construction costs kept builder confidence firmly in negative territory in November.