If you have been watching the swimming pool construction market in metro Atlanta over the last few years, you know the storyline has felt a bit like a slow‑motion slide: steady declines since 2022, a particularly dramatic dip in 2023, and only a modest easing of that descent in 2025. But 2026, at least so far, seems to be hinting at a different narrative—one that suggests stabilization, and perhaps even the earliest signs of a rebound.
Through the second quarter of 2026, HBW has recorded 1,351 new swimming pool construction permits across the 24‑county metro Atlanta area; this figure represents a 2% year‑to‑date increase compared to the same period in 2025. Now, I will agree that a 2% bump isn’t exactly fireworks‑worthy, but after several years of contraction (including a 26% decline in 2023) any upward movement feels refreshingly positive.
And before anyone starts carving predictions into stone tablets, let’s remember: this is only the first half of the year. If you have been following the HBW blog, then you know that markets have a way of surprising us, and construction activity can shift quickly depending on economic conditions, consumer confidence, and even weather patterns. But for now, the trend line is holding steady, and that alone is noteworthy.
When we break down the permit activity by county, a few areas stand out both for volume and for meaningful year‑over‑year movement.
High‑Volume Counties
- Fulton County – 274 permits (+1% YTD) Fulton continues to lead the metro area in total pool construction activity. The 1% increase is modest, but given Fulton’s consistently high volume, even small movements carry weight.
- Cherokee County – 124 permits (‑8% YTD) Cherokee is still one of the top producers of new pool permits, but it’s experiencing a noticeable dip so far this year.
- Forsyth County – 111 permits (+1% YTD) Forsyth is essentially flat compared to 2025, which in this context is actually a sign of stability.
- Cobb County – 106 permits (‑27% YTD) Cobb is the outlier among the high‑volume counties, posting a significant decline. A 27% drop is substantial and worth monitoring as the year progresses.
Counties Showing Growth
While the higher “growth” counties may not have the highest totals, their percent increases are meaningful, especially when viewed through the lens of market momentum:
- Gwinnett County – 97 permits (+8% YTD)
- Hall County – 74 permits (+16% YTD)
- Fayette County – 70 permits (+6% YTD)
- Jackson County – 70 permits (+27% YTD)
- Paulding County – 64 permits (+23% YTD)
Now, it’s important to keep perspective: percentage increases in lower‑volume counties can look dramatic even when the actual permit counts are relatively small. Still, growth is growth, and these counties are showing encouraging upward movement.
The metro Atlanta swimming pool construction market has been on a downward trajectory since 2022, but 2026 is the first year in several where the numbers suggest a potential pivot. The slight year‑to‑date increase—paired with stabilization in several key counties—could indicate that the market is finding its footing again. Whether this turns into a sustained upward trend remains to be seen. Construction markets are influenced by a wide range of factors: interest rates, housing turnover, consumer discretionary spending, and even broader economic sentiment. But if nothing else, the first half of 2026 is the most encouraging snapshot we have seen in several years.
Why the Full HBW Report Matters
This blog post offers a quick, high‑level overview, but the HBW Metro Atlanta Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Report provides a far more comprehensive view. The full report includes:
- Five‑year annual totals
- Year‑over‑year percentage changes from 2022 through 2026
- Quarter‑by‑quarter breakdowns for 2025 and 2026
- County‑level detail for all 24 metro Atlanta counties
In other words, it gives you the context needed to interpret not just where the market is today, but where it may be heading. Long‑term trend analysis is essential for forecasting, and HBW’s layout makes it easy to digest the data at a glance.
For swimming pool construction in the metro Atlanta area, the first half of 2026 may not be a dramatic comeback story, but it is the first chapter in several years that doesn’t read like a decline narrative. The market appears to be stabilizing, and a handful of counties are showing meaningful growth. Whether this momentum continues is something we will be watching closely (and sharing with you) as the remaining quarters unfold.
For those who want the full picture (including counties not highlighted here), the HBW report is the best resource, but hopefully this little sneak peek gives you a useful snapshot of how the metro Atlanta swimming pool construction market is shaping up so far this year.
Information utilized for the above listed figures for Metro Atlanta swimming pool construction was directly derived from HBW 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.