Housing Starts in United States
Monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate of new residential construction starts in the United States, a leading indicator of homebuilder activity and broader economic momentum.
Data
| Quarter | Starts (000s, SAAR) | QoQ Change (%) | YoY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 1,347 | -5 | -0.7 |
| Q1 2026 | 1,418 | 7.1 | 1.5 |
| Q4 2025 | 1,323 | -1.8 | -4.7 |
| Q3 2025 | 1,347 | -0.6 | 0.5 |
| Q2 2025 | 1,356 | -2.9 | 1 |
| Q1 2025 | 1,397 | 0.6 | -0.9 |
| Q4 2024 | 1,388 | 3.6 | -5.5 |
| Q3 2024 | 1,340 | -0.1 | -3.2 |
| Q2 2024 | 1,342 | -4.8 | -7.9 |
| Q1 2024 | 1,410 | -4 | 2.7 |
| Q4 2023 | 1,469 | 6.1 | 5.5 |
About this Dataset
The U.S. Census Bureau's New Residential Construction report tracks the pace at which builders break ground on new homes, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in thousands of units. Housing starts are one of the most closely watched leading indicators of economic activity, since construction decisions typically respond quickly to changes in financing costs, buyer demand, and builder confidence.
- Coverage: Total privately-owned housing units started, including both single-family and multi-family structures
- Release schedule: Mid-month, for the prior month, jointly with the Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Series history: Monthly data available from January 1959 onward
- Volatility: Month-to-month swings of 10–20% are typical; the series is most often read on a three-month or year-over-year basis
Housing starts most typically move with the direction of mortgage rates and broader credit conditions, since builders commit capital well ahead of a home's eventual sale. The series also feeds directly into GDP through residential fixed investment, making it a widely used gauge of both housing-sector health and near-term economic momentum for investors, homebuilders, and policymakers alike.