A review of permit data for new home construction in Texas during the first quarter of 2020

New residential construction in Texas has started out on a significant high in the first quarter of this year, with new permit data reflecting an impressive 29 percent increase in housing starts in comparison to the same time last year.  In the combined areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio there have been more than 21,400 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database from January through March of this year alone.  Out of the four major metro regions reviewed, Dallas and Austin have demonstrated the highest year-over-year spikes in housing starts at 34 percent each.  When looking at volume, more than 75 percent of all new permits on record for Texas for the three-month period originated from Houston (8,897 permits) and Dallas (7,168 permits).

Here is a closer look at permit data in Texas and leading counties for new residential construction since the start of this year:

Houston

Houston ranked #1 for volume of housing starts in Q1-2020 as there were nearly 8,900 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the area, reflecting a 27 percent year-over-year increase. The county with the greatest amount of new residential construction activity was Harris County (4,131 permits), followed by Fort Bend County (1,920 permits) and Montgomery County (1,868 permits).

Dallas

While new residential construction in Dallas was on a low last year (2019), since the start of this year, things appear to be looking up in the form of a 34 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction permits.  From January through March 2020, there have been approximately 7,170 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the Dallas area, with the highest concentration of new home construction activity taking place in Tarrant County (2,305 permits).

Austin

In the first quarter of this year, new home construction in Austin has been climbing, as there has been a 34 percent increase in housing starts in comparison to the same time last year.  Since the start of this year (thru March 2020), there have been approximately 3,470 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the Austin area, and nearly all new construction activity has taken place in two counties: Travis County (1,939 permits), Williamson County (1,152 permits).

San Antonio

Through the first quarter of this year, the San Antonio area has exhibited a 15 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in approximately 1,870 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database.  The county with the highest concentration of new construction activity is Bexar County where there have been more than 1,210 housing starts in the first quarter of the year, reflecting a 24 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction permits.

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.