Over the five months of 2021, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 483,878. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is a 38.7% increase over the May 2020 level of 348,898.

Year-to-date ending in May, single-family permits increased in all four regions. The Northeast region reported the strongest increase of 48.8%, followed by the Midwest (+45.6%), the West (+39.8%), and the South (35.9%). Multifamily permits were robust across the country in May compared to last year; the Northeast (+40.2%), West (+26.5%), the Midwest (+23.7%), and the South (+16.0%).

Between May 2020 YTD and May 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 407.3% from 41 to 208. The 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 62.1% of the total single-family permits issued.

Year-to-date, ending in May 2021, the total number of multifamily permits issued nationwide reached 226,634. This is 23.1% ahead over the May 2020 level of 184,164.

Between May 2020 YTD and May 2021 YTD, 40 states recorded growth while ten states and the District of Columbia recorded a decline in multifamily permits. New Mexico led the way with a sharp rise (760.9%) in multifamily permits from 133 to 1,145, while Indiana had the largest decline of 46.7% from 2,129 to 1,134. The 10 states issuing the highest number of multifamily permits combined accounted for 62.9% 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