Housing Prices, Affordability & Mortgages · U.S. Census Bureau & HUD
U.S. Housing Starts by Year (1959-2025)
Housing starts measure the number of new residential construction projects begun each year, serving as a leading indicator of residential investment and housing supply. In 2025, housing starts recorded 1,356Thousands of Units (SAAR), compared with 1,370 in 2024. Across the 67-year archive (1959-2025), readings have ranged between 554 (2009) and 2,361 (1972).
Series Summary Ledger
- 2025 Reading1,356
- 2024 Reading1,370
- All-Time High (1972)2,361
- All-Time Low (2009)554
- Reporting UnitThousands of Units (SAAR)
- Series CodeHOUST
U.S. Census Bureau & HUD · 1959-2025
U.S. Housing Starts by Year (1959-2025)
2025 Reading: 1,356 Thousands of Units (SAAR)
Loading historical series...
DECADE BENCHMARKS (1950s-2020s)
Housing Starts by Decade
| Decade | Mean | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1,535 | 1,535 | 1,535 |
| 1960s | 1,407 | 1,166 | 1,588 |
| 1970s | 1,758 | 1,160 | 2,361 |
| 1980s | 1,498 | 1,057 | 1,812 |
| 1990s | 1,372 | 1,009 | 1,647 |
| 2000s | 1,537 | 554 | 2,073 |
| 2010s | 994 | 586 | 1,292 |
| 2020s | 1,449 | 1,356 | 1,603 |
Housing Starts Year-by-Year Historical Table (1959-2025)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & HUD (HOUST)| Year | Housing Starts (Thousands of Units (SAAR)) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,356 | -14 |
| 2024 | 1,370 | -51 |
| 2023 | 1,421 | -129 |
| 2022 | 1,550 | -53 |
| 2021 | 1,603 | +209 |
| 2020 | 1,394 | +103 |
| 2019 | 1,292 | +45 |
| 2018 | 1,247 | +42 |
| 2017 | 1,205 | +28 |
| 2016 | 1,177 | +70 |
| 2015 | 1,107 | +106 |
| 2014 | 1,000 | +72 |
| 2013 | 928 | +144 |
| 2012 | 784 | +172 |
| 2011 | 612 | +26 |
| 2010 | 586 | +32 |
| 2009 | 554 | -346 |
| 2008 | 900 | -442 |
| 2007 | 1,342 | -470 |
| 2006 | 1,812 | -261 |
| 2005 | 2,073 | +123 |
| 2004 | 1,950 | +96 |
| 2003 | 1,854 | +144 |
| 2002 | 1,710 | +109 |
| 2001 | 1,601 | +28 |
| 2000 | 1,573 | -74 |
| 1999 | 1,647 | +26 |
| 1998 | 1,621 | +147 |
| 1997 | 1,475 | +6 |
| 1996 | 1,469 | +108 |
| 1995 | 1,361 | -85 |
| 1994 | 1,446 | +154 |
| 1993 | 1,292 | +90 |
| 1992 | 1,201 | +193 |
| 1991 | 1,009 | -194 |
| 1990 | 1,203 | -179 |
| 1989 | 1,382 | -106 |
| 1988 | 1,488 | -143 |
| 1987 | 1,630 | -181 |
| 1986 | 1,812 | +70 |
| 1985 | 1,741 | -25 |
| 1984 | 1,766 | +61 |
| 1983 | 1,705 | +648 |
| 1982 | 1,057 | -39 |
| 1981 | 1,096 | -204 |
| 1980 | 1,300 | -417 |
| 1979 | 1,717 | -283 |
| 1978 | 2,001 | +39 |
| 1977 | 1,962 | +427 |
| 1976 | 1,535 | +375 |
| 1975 | 1,160 | -172 |
| 1974 | 1,332 | -712 |
| 1973 | 2,044 | -317 |
| 1972 | 2,361 | +325 |
| 1971 | 2,036 | +601 |
| 1970 | 1,435 | -52 |
| 1969 | 1,487 | -17 |
| 1968 | 1,504 | +219 |
| 1967 | 1,285 | +118 |
| 1966 | 1,166 | -303 |
| 1965 | 1,469 | -71 |
| 1964 | 1,540 | -48 |
| 1963 | 1,588 | +130 |
| 1962 | 1,459 | +147 |
| 1961 | 1,312 | +56 |
| 1960 | 1,256 | -279 |
| 1959 | 1,535 | - |
Related Housing & Mortgages Series
- U.S. Median Home Sales Price by Year (Nominal vs. Real 1963-2025)415,400
- U.S. Median Home Price-to-Income Ratio by Year (1963-2025)4.75
- U.S. Mortgage Origination Interest Rate by Year (1998-2025)6.3
- U.S. FHFA House Price Index & Annual Appreciation (1975-2025)699.34
- U.S. Homeownership Rate by Year (1965-2025)65.27
- U.S. Rent & Shelter CPI Inflation by Year (1954-2025)3.64