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

General News

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