After several challenging years marked by contraction, Florida’s swimming pool construction market showed clear signs of stabilization (and cautious optimism) in 2025. According to the latest HBW Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Report, which tracks permitting activity through the fourth quarter of 2025, the market recorded a 6% year-to-date increase in new swimming pool construction permits statewide.
The improvement follows three consecutive years of decline, including a -6% decrease in 2022, a sharp -22% downturn in 2023, and a further -10% decline in 2024. In total, 28,687 new swimming pool construction permits were added to the HBW database in 2025, marking the first time in several years that the market has moved back into positive territory.
While one year does not define a full market cycle, the 2025 data strongly suggests that Florida’s residential swimming pool sector is transitioning out of contraction and into a period of recalibration—characterized by selective growth and regional variability.
The HBW annual report divides Florida into six major regions: Southwest, Southeast, West, Central, Northeast, and Northwest Florida. While performance varied by geography, the overarching theme across most regions was stabilization with measured upward momentum.
Southwest Florida – Volume Leader with Market Stability
Southwest Florida once again led the state in total new swimming pool construction volume, with 8,355 new permits recorded in 2025. On a year-over-year basis, the region reflected a 0% change versus 2024, indicating a stable and consistent market.
While flat growth may appear modest at first glance, it is important to consider historical context. Southwest Florida experienced notable year-over-year declines in prior years, including -16% in 2022, -25% in 2023, and -4% in 2024. Against that backdrop, 2025’s stability represents a meaningful shift. The region appears to have found its footing, aligning closely with statewide trends that point toward normalization rather than rapid expansion.
Southeast Florida – A Strong Rebound
Southeast Florida posted the second-highest volume of new swimming pool construction permits statewide, with 5,795 permits recorded in 2025. More notably, the region experienced a 15% year-over-year increase, making it one of the strongest rebound stories in the state.
This level of performance is particularly significant given the region’s recent history. Southeast Florida saw -7% declines in both 2022 and 2024, and a steep -26% decrease in 2023. The 2025 turnaround suggests renewed consumer confidence, improving residential investment conditions, and demand beginning to re-enter the market. While continued monitoring is warranted, the data clearly signals forward movement.
West Florida – Leading Year-over-Year Growth
West Florida recorded 5,053 new swimming pool construction permits in 2025, representing a robust 20% year-over-year increase (the highest growth rate among all regions reviewed).
Similar to other areas, West Florida had experienced prolonged declines, including a -2% decrease in 2022 and drops exceeding -20% in both 2023 and 2024. The sharp reversal in 2025 indicates a decisive shift in market dynamics and positions West Florida as a region to watch closely moving forward.
Central Florida
Central Florida added 3,862 new swimming pool construction permits in 2025, reflecting a 0% year-over-year change from 2024. While growth was flat, this stability is notable following prior declines of -17% in 2023 and -12% in 2024.
The data suggests Central Florida is in a holding pattern (neither expanding nor contracting) potentially setting the stage for future growth as broader market conditions continue to improve.
Northeast Florida
Northeast Florida was the only region to record a decline in 2025, with 2,872 new permits representing a -3% year-over-year decrease.
However, this modest dip should be viewed in context. The region experienced much steeper contractions in recent years, including -18% in 2023 and -7% in 2024. Compared to the previous figures, the 2025 decline appears less severe and may indicate a market that is gradually leveling off rather than continuing a downward trajectory.
Northwest Florida
Northwest Florida recorded 2,750 new swimming pool construction permits in 2025, reflecting a 2% year-over-year increase. While incremental, this growth represents a positive change following -12% and -11% declines in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Though volumes remain lower in the northwestern region than in other areas reviewed, the uptick signals improving conditions and renewed activity.
County-Level Insights
A county-by-county review highlights where swimming pool construction activity remains most concentrated across the state.
Top Five Counties by Total New Permits (2025):
- Lee County (Southwest) – 2,568 permits (+5% YoY)
- Palm Beach County (Southeast) – 1,966 permits (-4% YoY)
- Sarasota County (Southwest) – 1,770 permits (+6% YoY)
- Miami-Dade County (Southeast) – 1,616 permits (+36% YoY)
- Manatee County (Southwest) – 1,425 permits (-3% YoY)
Miami-Dade County’s 36% year-over-year increase stands out as particularly noteworthy. While one year does not define long-term market health, the increase suggests renewed investment activity and a rebound from recent declines that reached -33% in 2023 and -21% in 2022. Factors such as population growth, high-end residential development, and replacement or upgrade cycles may all be contributing factors in the surge.
Growth Markets
In evaluating year-over-year increases, it is important to distinguish between percentage spikes driven by very low volumes versus growth occurring alongside meaningful levels of construction activity. The HBW report highlights several counties where strong increases align with substantial permit counts:
- Pasco County (West Florida): +143% YoY | 1,066 permits
- Miami-Dade County (Southeast Florida): +36% YoY | 1,616 permits
- Sumter County (West Florida): +22% YoY | 872 permits
- St. Lucie County (Southeast Florida): +26% YoY | 737 permits
- Bay County (Northwest Florida): +19% YoY | 522 permits
Additionally, Seminole County (Central Florida) deserves special mention. While total volume was more modest at 290 permits, the county recorded a 53% year-over-year increase and was the only county in Central Florida to show growth in 2025. This increase played a critical role in keeping Central Florida balanced overall, resulting in the region’s flat (0%) year-over-year performance.
The latest swimming pool construction data for 2025 points to a Florida market that is no longer shrinking broadly but instead recalibrating. Growth is uneven and regionally layered, yet the statewide increase, combined with stabilization in historically strong markets, suggests that the sector is regaining equilibrium. For pool contractors, suppliers, developers, and industry stakeholders, there is a clear takeaway to be gained… While caution remains prudent, the market in Florida is improving, and opportunities are increasingly tied to understanding regional and county-level dynamics rather than relying on statewide averages alone.
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.