2018 Survey: Housing Production is Up Around the U.S.

Suburban cities are growing especially quickly, but many big cities are also dramatically upping their housing production.

1 minute read

March 20, 2019, 2:00 PM PDT

By Elana Eden


Housing Construction

Christian Delbert / Shutterstock

Governing has identified some of the most productive housing markets around the nation, drawing on the Census Bureau to compile 2018 residential construction permitting data for cities with populations exceeding 50,000.

A majority of the 582 cities reviewed issued more permits last year than their historic averages, and more than 135 cities issued permits at double that rate. Oakland, CA issued nearly four times more permits than its annual average.

Apex, North Carolina issued the most permits of any city surveyed, followed by Fort Meyers, Florida. Austin led the list of cities with populations of 300,000 or more, followed closely by Atlanta and Reno.

"Generally speaking, it's the southern cities and parts of the West Coast where growth remains the strongest," Macias writes. Those regions are gaining jobs and population at a similarly rapid rate.

Throughout the country, suburbs outside of cities with hot housing markets had "especially high permitting rates." That includes Frisco in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; Redmond, east of Seattle; Georgetown, outside Austin; and Buckeye, near Phoenix.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 in Governing

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.