A review of permit data for new home construction in Texas during 2021

Based on HBW’s latest Building Activity Trend Report for new residential construction in Texas last year, new home construction has been climbing across the Lone Star State.  In 2021, there were more than 95,275 new residential construction permits gathered from the combined metro areas of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, reflecting an 11 percent year-over-year increase in residential construction.  From the four regions reviewed, annual increases in new home construction ranged from a low of 2 percent (Austin) to a high of 19 percent (San Antonio).

Here is a closer look at total permits and leading counties for residential construction in each of four metro areas of Texas:

Houston – Last year, the Houston area carried the greatest total number of new permits in comparison to other metro areas reviewed, having 41,368 new permits added to the HBW database; this reflects a 12 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the five counties that make up the Houston area, Harris and Montgomery held approximately 75 percent of all construction activity, having 20,340 and 10,653 permits on record respectively. 

Dallas – The Dallas area ranked second for new home construction, having 31,848 new permits on record with HBW last year; this reflects a 13 percent year-over-year increase.  Out of the six counties that were included in the Dallas report, just about 63 percent of all new home construction took place in Collin (10,758) and Tarrant (9,175 permits).

Austin –In Austin, there were 13,025 new residential construction permits on record last year, reflecting a 2 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction. Out of the four counties included in the report, nearly all (~87%) permits originated from the two counties of Travis (5,948 permits) and Williamson (5,419 permits).

San Antonio – As previously noted, last year San Antonio demonstrated the greatest annual growth in new home construction out of the four Texas areas reviewed.  With a 19 percent year-over-year increase, there were 9,035 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the San Antonio area. Out of the three counties included in the report, more than half of all new home construction activity took place in Bexar County where there were 4,580 new permits on record for the one-year period. 

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.