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

Dec 10, 2025

NAHB Awards HBAs $60K to Support Advocacy Efforts

The NAHB State and Local Government Affairs Committee recently awarded several HBAs financial assistance through the State and Local Issues Fund.

Labor

Dec 09, 2025

Construction Labor Market Stable

The count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry was relatively unchanged in October, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Dec 09, 2025

Mortgage Activity Continued to Climb in November

Mortgage activity continued to climb in November, posting the largest year-over-year increase in more than five years. Every major category increased on a year-over-year basis as mortgage rates continue to trend lower, led by strong increases in refinancing and adjustable-rate mortgage activity.

Economics

Dec 08, 2025

Community Associations: A Growing Trend in 2024

In 2024, 65.7% of all new single-family homes started were built within a community or homeowner’s association. This share increased from the 64.8% recorded in 2023, according to data tabulated from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC).

Economics

Dec 05, 2025

Mortgage Rates Continue to Trend Lower in November

The average mortgage rate in November continued to trend lower to its lowest level in over a year. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.24% in November, 2 basis points (bps) lower than in October. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate increased 3 bps to 5.51%.