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
Advocacy
Mar 27, 2026
How NAHB Members Can Bring Real-World Perspective to Housing PolicyNAHB spoke with House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) for her insights on key issues impacting the housing industry and how NAHB members can best engage in the legislative process.
Membership | Professional Women in Building Council
Mar 26, 2026
Professional Women in Building: Past, Present and FutureAs we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the incredible women shaping the home-building industry’s past, present and future. For 70 years, the NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council has championed women’s leadership, education and innovation in construction.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Mar 26, 2026
State/Local Property Tax Revenue Rises Past $210 Billion in the Fourth QuarterProperty tax revenue collected by state and local governments rose for the ninth consecutive quarter according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenue.
Economics
Mar 25, 2026
Age of Housing Stock by StateAccording to the latest data from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), the median age of owner-occupied homes has reached 42 years old. The age of the housing stock is an important remodeling market indicator.
Economics
Mar 24, 2026
Almost Half of the Owner-Occupied Homes Built Before 1980Around 47% of the U.S. housing stock was built in the 1980s and earlier. The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years old in 2024, up from 31 in 2005 according to the latest data from the American Community Survey.