Over the four months of 2021, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 384,196. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is a 35.6% increase over the April 2020 level of 283,344.

Year-to-date ending in April, single-family permits reported increases in all four regions. The relatively more affordable Midwest reported the strongest increase of 49.8%, followed by the Northeast (+48.6%), the West (+37.7%), and the South (30.9%). Multifamily permits were robust across the country in April compared to last year; the Northeast (+45.8%), South (+27.7%), West (+24.4%) and the Midwest (+18.4%).

Between April 2020 YTD and April 2021 YTD, all 50 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 332.1% from 28 to 121. The 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 62.0% of the total single-family permits issued.

Year-to-date, ending in April 2021, the total number of multifamily permits issued nationwide reached 183,248. This is 28.0% ahead over the April 2020 level of 143,194.

Between April 2020 YTD and April 2021 YTD, 36 states recorded growth while 14 states and the District of Columbia recorded a decline in multifamily permits. New Mexico led the way with a sharp rise (786.2%) in multifamily permits from 123 to 1,090, while Nebraska had the largest decline of 39.1% from 1,055 to 643. The 10 states issuing the highest number of multifamily permits combined accounted for 63.5% of the multifamily permits issued.

At the local level, below are top 10 metro areas that issued the highest number of single-family permits. 

For multifamily permits, below are the top 10 local areas that issued the highest number of permits: 

Tags: home building, multifamily, single-family, state and local markets, state permits