Permits, Starts, and Completions data

Of the various types of construction data, data on permits are available most frequently and at the greatest level of geographic detail. They are available monthly and annually, for places, metropolitan areas, counties, states, divisions, regions, and the nation, and are broken down by units in structure and valuation.

Data on starts are available monthly, quarterly and annually, for regions and the nation, and are broken down by purpose of construction, design type, square feet, and units in structure.

Data on completions and units under construction are available monthly and annually, for regions and the nation, and are broken down by units in structure.  Annual data on size and other characteristics of multiple family housing are also available.

Separate quarterly estimates of rental apartment completions, by number of bedrooms and region, are also produced by the Census Bureau.

Annual estimates are available for time from permit issuance to start and for time from start to completion.

Please also see our list of private data providers.

NMHC Quick Facts

• Economic Impact
• State Distribution of New Apartment Construction
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Construction Activity 

Special analyses by NMHC (NMHC Members Only)

• Apartment Construction: What level is the "right" level? 
• Apartment Supply Arithmetic
• Is a Supply Shortage Looming?

Updated: 3/2012