Single-Family Permits Up in October 2024

Over the first 10 months of 2024, the total number of single-family permits issued year to date (YTD) nationwide reached 846,446 — an increase of 9.4% from the October 2023 level of 773,526.

Single-family permits were up in all four regions YTD ending in October: West (13.6%), Midwest (12.4%), Northeast (10.8%) and South (7.2%).

Between October 2024 YTD and October 2023 YTD, 46 states posted an increase in single-family permits. The range of increases spanned 33% in Montana to 0.7% in Florida.

Four states and the District of Columbia reported declines:

• New Mexico (-1.3%),
• District of Columbia (-1.4%),
• New Hampshire (-2.6%),
• Alaska (-4.4%), and
• Hawaii (-5.2%)  

The 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 62.9% of the total single-family permits issued. Texas, the state with the highest number of single-family permits, issued 136,374 permits over the first 10 months of 2024, which is an increase of 9.7% compared to the same period last year. The second highest state, Florida, was up by 0.7%, while the third highest, North Carolina, posted an increase of 7.9%.

Here are the top 10 metro areas that issued the highest number of single-family permits:

Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, provides more details — including trends and top markets for multifamily permits — in this Eye on Housing post.