New Home Size Increases as Demand for More Space Continues
The size of new single-family homes increased in the second quarter, as the pandemic has sparked a need for more living space and people continue using their homes for more purposes, particularly teleworking.
The median size of a single-family home increased to 2,297 square feet, according to data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis. Average square footage increased to 2,540.
The median home size consistently rose each year from 2009 to 2015, as entry-level home construction was constrained. It then declined between 2016 and 2020, as more starter homes were developed. Home sizes are expected to increase again moving forward, given the shift in consumer preferences for more space in the post-COVID-19 environment.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more details in this Eye on Housing blog post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Workforce Development
Mar 20, 2026
NAHB HBCU Event Cultivates Workforce PipelineNAHB’s Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Student Leadership program hosted the third annual Black Builder and Mentor Mixer at the 2026 International Builders’ Show in Orlando. The event welcomed 160 students and mentors, including students from 10 HBCUs who participated in the leadership program’s third cohort.
Economics
Mar 19, 2026
Fed Holding Pattern ContinuesThe Fed continued its current pause for rate reductions at the conclusion of the March meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Mar 19, 2026
New Home Sales Decline in January on Weather DisruptionsNew home sales declined in January, reflecting typical monthly volatility as well as weather-related disruptions.
Economics
Mar 19, 2026
Fourth Quarter 2025 Multifamily Construction DataAccording to NAHB analysis of quarterly Census data, the count of multifamily, for-rent housing starts increased year-over-year during the fourth quarter of 2025.
Economics
Mar 18, 2026
Holding Pattern Continues for the FedThe Fed continued its current pause for rate reductions at the conclusion of the March meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body.