U.S. Census Bureau: Monthly New Residential Construction, August 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced the following new residential construction statistics for August 2020:

Building Permits

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,470,000. This is 0.9 percent (±1.4 percent)* below the revised July rate of 1,483,000 and is 0.1 percent (±1.5 percent)* below the August 2019 rate of 1,471,000. Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 1,036,000; this is 6.0 percent (±1.3 percent) above the revised July figure of 977,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 381,000 in August.

Housing Starts

Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,416,000. This is 5.1 percent (±9.6 percent)* below the revised July estimate of 1,492,000, but is 2.8 percent (±10.3 percent)* above the August 2019 rate of 1,377,000. Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 1,021,000; this is 4.1 percent (±8.7 percent)* above the revised July figure of 981,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 375,000.

Housing Completions

Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,233,000. This is 7.5 percent (±14.2 percent)* below the revised July estimate of 1,333,000 and is 2.4 percent (±11.9 percent)* below the August 2019 rate of 1,263,000. Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 912,000; this is 4.4 percent (±19.1 percent)* below the revised July rate of 954,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 312,000.

Statement Regarding COVID-19 Impact

Estimates in this release continue to meet publication standards. Operations to collect and publish this release have normalized and/or been adapted. Additional COVID-19 specific information will be provided again with this release in the event that quality or collection is determined to be impacted.

For the full August report, click here.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau