A review of permit data on record with HBW for new swimming pool construction in Florida throughout 2020
As noted in the graph above, new swimming pool construction has been on a steady climb in Florida since 2011, and in 2020, there was a surge in the market – From January through December of last year, there have been approximately 32,715 new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database, reflecting a notable 27 percent year-over-year increase in new swimming pool construction activity in the Sunshine State.
In the six regions reviewed (Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, Central, West) there were marked increases in new pool construction ranging from 21 percent to 32 percent, with the highest concentration of new pool construction activity taking place in the southwestern region (8,815 permits) where there was a 25 percent year-over-year increase in new pool permits.
Here is a closer look at the total number of new permits on record in each Florida region reviewed, as well as leading counties and annual growth rates:
Southwest
As previously mentioned, the southwestern region of Florida experienced a 25 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction last year, resulting in 8,815 new permits added to the HBW database. Out of the five counties that make up the southwest, Lee County (2,925 permits) held the greatest volume of pool starts as there was a 37 percent annual uptick in new pool construction.
Southeast
The southeastern region of Florida exhibited the greatest annual increase in new pool construction last year, having a 32 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction activity that resulted in nearly 6,200 new permits on record with HBW. Out of the seven counties that make up the southeast, Palm Beach (~2,300 permits) was identified as having the highest concentration of new pool permits due to a 39 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction.
West
Not far behind the southeast, the western region of Florida ranked #3 for new pool construction last year, having approximately 6,150 new permits which resulted from a 25 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction activity. Out of the seven counties that make up the area, more than half of all new permits originated from Hillsborough County (1,810 permits) and Pasco County (1,467 permits) where there were year-over-year increases in new pool construction of 17% and 46% respectively.
Central
Last year, Central Florida demonstrated a 28 percent year-over-year increase in new swimming pool construction, resulting in 5,080 new permits on record with HBW. Out of the six counties reviewed, more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Orange (1,847 permits) and Brevard (1,028) where there were year-over-year spikes in new construction of 27% and 16% respectively.
Northeast
In the northeastern region of Florida, there were approximately 3,380 new pool permits added to the HBW last year due to a 31 percent increase in new swimming pool construction activity. Out of the eight counties that make up the northeast, more than half of all new construction took place in the counties of St. Johns (1,296 permits) and Duval (802 permits) where there were annual increases in pool construction of 49% and 22% respectively.
Northwest
Last year, there were approximately 3,100 pool starts in the northwest as a result of a 21 percent year-over-year increase in new swimming pool construction. Out of the eighteen counties reviewed, the greatest concentration of new permits could be found in Santa Rosa County, where there was an 18 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction that resulted in approximately 610 new permits added to the HBW database.
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.