What does this homebuilding rate ranking show?

It orders states by Homes authorised per 1,000 existing homes. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Rankings · Housing

Highest homebuilding rate by state

Homes authorised per 1,000 existing homes.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Housing units authorised by building permits in a year, per 1,000 homes already standing. Permits are the first step in construction, so this leads the rest of the site: population change says where people went, this says where housing is being built for them. Per thousand rather than as a count, or the ranking would just repeat population. Counted as units rather than buildings — a forty-unit block is one building and forty homes. Neutral by design: heavy building means a growing market to some readers and a changing one to others.

How to read this ranking

Idaho has the highest published homebuilding rate in this comparison, at 23. The next states shown are Utah (22) and South Carolina (19).

The table orders 51 states by homes authorised per 1,000 existing homes. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Housing units authorised by building permits in a year, per 1,000 homes already standing. Permits are the first step in construction, so this leads the rest of the site: population change says where people went, this says where housing is being built for them. Per thousand rather than as a count, or the ranking would just repeat population. Counted as units rather than buildings — a forty-unit block is one building and forty homes. Neutral by design: heavy building means a growing market to some readers and a changing one to others.

Related housing rankings

Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Homes authorised per 1,000 existing homes. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. · How this is built

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