New Single-Family Homes Shrank in 2019

The Census Bureau's "Characteristics of New Housing" report shows declining size among single-family homes built and sold new in 2019.

1 minute read

December 23, 2020, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Irina Mos / Shutterstock

"The average square footage of new homes sold in the United States increased from 2,457 in 2010 to 2,724 in 2015 but dropped in 2019 to 2,518," according to an article published the LBM Journal analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Characteristics of New Housing report.

"Despite the decline in average square footage, the share of homes with four bedrooms or more that were sold increased from 41% in 2010 to 49% in 2019," according to the article. The average cost of homes sold in 2019 had also increased substantially over the course of the decade—up to $383,900 in 2019 compared to $272,900 in 2010.

The trend toward smaller new homes started in 2017, after decades of ballooning sizes. The 2019 trends continue declines reported for 2018 as well.

FULL STORY: Census report: New single-family homes getting smaller

Monday, December 21, 2020 in LBM Journal

Housing Land Use Urban Development United States Home Size American Homes Growing Homes Real Estate Market Housing Market New Home Construction New Homes 2019 View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.