Single-Family Home Size Falls to More Than a Decade Low
According to second quarter 2023 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area declined to 2,191 square feet, the lowest reading since the end of 2010.
Home size increased in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the need for more residential space, as more people stayed at home and used their residential property for offices, gyms and classrooms. During this period, when mortgage rates reached historic lows, buyers had more purchasing power, which spurred the demand for larger homes.
However, as interest rates increased in 2022 and housing affordability worsened, the demand for home size has trended lower.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
Jan 22, 2026
NAHB Podcast: The Davos Housing Update That Wasn’tOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, Chief Operating Officer Paul Lopez is joined by Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert to discuss the latest housing policies, including the housing announcement (or lack thereof) at the World Economic Forum and NAHB's continued advocacy efforts for 2026.
IBS | Awards
Jan 21, 2026
NAHB Announces 2026 Best of IBS FinalistsMore than 300 product entries in nine categories were judged by 42 industry and media representatives. See which products were selected as finalists in the 2026 Best of IBS Awards.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jan 22, 2026
House Prices Decline in Local Markets Despite National GrowthNationally, house prices continued to rise at a modest pace in the third quarter of 2025, as mentioned in our previous quarterly house prices post. However, this national trend masks significant variation across local markets. While many metro areas continued to see house price appreciation, others experienced notable declines following several years of rapid growth.
Economics
Jan 21, 2026
Private Residential Construction Spending Edges Higher in October on Home ImprovementsPrivate residential construction spending was up 1.3% in October, rebounding from a 1.4% decline in September 2025. This modest gain was primarily driven by increased spending on home improvements.
Economics
Jan 21, 2026
Single-Family Permits Cooled in the FallIn October, single-family building permits weakened, reflecting continued caution among builders amid affordability constraints and financing challenges. In contrast, multifamily permit activity remained steady and continued to perform relatively well.