How Single-Family Home Sizes Have Shifted

Trends
Published

According to first quarter 2022 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area inched down to 2,310 square feet. Average (mean) square footage for new single-family homes decreased to 2,512.

An expected impact of the virus crisis is a need for more residential space, as people use homes for more purposes, including work.

Since the Great Recession lows (and on a one-year moving average basis), the average size of new single-family homes is now 6.3% higher at 2,537 square feet, while the median size is 10% higher at 2,318 square feet.

NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides a forecast for changes in home sizes in this Eye on Housing post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy

Nov 19, 2025

NAHB Offers Lawmakers Recommendations on National E-Verify System

NAHB today offered Congress several recommendations to make a national E-Verify employment verification system workable for small businesses and members of the residential construction industry.

Advocacy | Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Podcast: Latest Housing Developments Live from Fall Meeting

In the latest episode of NAHB's podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss recent developments in the housing market live from the NAHB Fall Leadership Meeting in Denver.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Nov 19, 2025

Affordability Impacts: Young Adults Are Once Again Moving Back Home

The share of young adults living with parents increased in 2024, interrupting the post-pandemic trend of moving out of parental homes.

Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Location, Location, Location: How Place and Neighborhood Shape Home Values

The value of a single-family home depends not only on its physical features but also on its location and neighborhood context.

Economics

Nov 18, 2025

Builder Sentiment Relatively Flat in November as Market Headwinds Persist

Market uncertainty exacerbated by the government shutdown along with economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs and rising construction costs kept builder confidence firmly in negative territory in November.