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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Feb 24, 2026
New Data Show Housing Affordability Concerns Across the U.S.In 39 states and D.C., over 65% of households are priced out of the median-priced new home market.
Economics | Housing Affordability
Feb 24, 2026
Falling Mortgage Rates Make Homeownership Possible for Millions of HouseholdsThe average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to around 6% last week, the lowest rate borrowers have seen in close to three years. Borrowers will not only enjoy lower monthly payments at that rate, but it also makes homeownership possible for millions more.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 24, 2026
Young Adult Headship Rates in 2024: Cyclical Slip or New Equilibrium?Reversing the post-pandemic rebound, the headship rates among young adults (the share of the population heading their own households) declined in 2024, according to NAHB’s analysis of the American Community Survey (ACS) data.
Economics
Feb 23, 2026
A 25-Basis-Point Decline in the Mortgage Rate Prices-In 1.42 Million HouseholdsHousing affordability remains a critical challenge nationwide, and mortgage rates continue to play a central role in shaping homebuying power. Although rates have declined from the recent peak of about 7.6% in 2023 to around 6.01% as of February 19,2026, they remain elevated relative to typical levels in the 2010s.
Economics
Feb 20, 2026
New Home Sales Close 2025 with Modest GainsNew home sales ended 2025 on a mixed but resilient note, signaling steady underlying demand despite ongoing affordability and supply constraints. The latest data released today (and delayed because of the government shutdown in fall of 2025) indicate that while month-to-month activity shows a small decline, sales remain stronger than a year ago, signaling that buyer interest in newly built homes has improved.