A review of permit data for new home construction in Florida from January through March 2021

Florida’s residential construction market is off to a very strong start in the first quarter of this year.  From January through March, there have been approximately 31,150 housing starts recorded by HBW, reflecting a 30 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year.  Across all regions reviewed, there have been significant spikes in the new home construction ranging from 12 percent to more than 48 percent.  Out of the six regions reviewed (Northeast, Northwest, Central, Southwest, Southeast, West), the greatest volume new home construction could be found in West Florida (7,268 permits), while the greatest year-over-year growth is evident in the northeast where there was more than a 48 percent increase in new permits in comparison to the same time last year.

Here is a breakdown of the total permits, leading counties and year-over-year growth in each of the six Florida regions listed in the latest HBW Building Activity Trend Report for new residential construction in the Sunshine State:

West

As previously noted, the western region of Florida held the highest volume of housing starts in the first quarter of this year; the region experienced a 28 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year, resulting in 7,268 new permits on record with HBW.  Out of the seven counties reviewed in the area, the greatest amount of new home construction activity could be found in Polk County and Pasco County where there were 2,630 and 2,302 permits respectively for the three-month period.

Southwest

In the first quarter of this year, there have been 6,522 housing starts in the southwestern region of Florida, reflecting a 35 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year.  Out of the five counties that make up the area, the greatest concentration of new home construction activity could be found in Lee County where there was a 35 percent year-over-year increase in housing starts resulting in approximately 2,130 new permits on record.

Northeast

As previously noted, new home construction is on the rise in the northeastern region of Florida; since the start of this year (thru March), there have been 5,753 housing starts recorded for the area which is indicative of more than a 48 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction activity.  Out of the eight counties that make up the region, more than half of all new permits originated from St. Johns (1,587 permits) and Duval (1,403 permits).

Central

In Q1-2021, there have been 4,530 housing starts in the Central Florida region, reflecting a 26 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the six counties that make up Central Florida, more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Orange and Volusia where there were 1,284 and 1,209 new permits respectively for the three-month period.

Northwest

From January through March of this year there have been 3,772 housing starts recorded for the northwestern region of Florida, reflecting a 12 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year.  The regional report for the northwest included 16 Florida counties, in addition to two counties along the Alabama border; out of the 18 counties reviewed, the highest concentration of new home construction could be found in Baldwin, AL and Bay, FL where there were 908 and 597 housing starts respectively.

Southeast

Since the start of this year (thru March) there have been more than 3,300 housing starts in the southeastern region of Florida, reflecting a 26 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the seven counties that make up the region, St. Lucie County and Palm Beach County carried the greatest volume of new home construction having 1,376 and 929 new permits on record with HBW respectively.

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.