If the first quarter of 2026 is any indication, Florida’s swimming pool construction market is doing what Floridians do best—staying warm, staying active, and staying in the water. According to the latest HBW building activity trend report, 7,245 new swimming pool construction permits were added to the database from January through March. That’s a 3% year‑to‑date increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Now, before anyone starts celebrating, let’s keep perspective. Last year’s statewide growth rate was 4%, so this early 3% bump is promising, but not yet a crystal‑clear forecast of a blockbuster year. Q1 is a notoriously tricky narrator—optimistic, but not always reliable. Still, the data gives us a meaningful snapshot of where demand is heating up and where it appears to be cooling off.

Below is a region‑by‑region breakdown of where new pool construction is making the biggest splash in Florida so far in 2026:

Southwest Florida: (2,407 permits | +18% YTD)

Southwest Florida didn’t just lead the pack—it lapped the field. With 2,407 permits, the region accounts for nearly one‑third of all new pool construction statewide.

• Lee County: 614 permits (+5% YTD)
• Manatee County: 572 permits (+56% YTD)

Manatee County’s growth rate is the kind of number that makes analysts double‑check their spreadsheets. A 56% year‑over‑year increase is not just growth—it’s an eye-catching acceleration. Whether driven by population inflow, or new residential development, Southwest Florida is clearly the early‑year powerhouse.

West Florida: (1,341 permits | +7% YTD)

West Florida claims the second‑highest permit volume with 1,341 new pools, reflecting a healthy 7% year‑to‑date increase.

Top‑performing counties include:

• Hillsborough County: 407 permits (+25% YTD)
• Sumter County: 271 permits (+42% YTD)
• Pasco County: 209 permits (-41% YTD)

Sumter County is the standout here, posting a 42% increase—proof that the region’s growth isn’t just coastal but spreading inland as well. While Pasco County is reflecting a significant decline early in the year, it is a drop that is following a major boom last year so time may level it out. West Florida’s performance suggests a stable, expanding market with consistent demand across multiple counties.

Southeast Florida: (1,201 permits | –19% YTD)

Southeast Florida remains one of the state’s largest pool markets by volume, but Q1 tells a different story: a 19% year‑over‑year decline.

Leading counties:

• Palm Beach County: 457 permits
• Miami‑Dade County: 285 permits

Even with the decline, the region still produced over 1,200 new pools. Southeast Florida has long been a mature, high‑density market, and fluctuations here often reflect broader economic or permitting cycles rather than a true drop in demand.

Central Florida: (854 permits | –7% YTD)

Central Florida posted 854 new pool permits, showing a 7% decline compared to Q1 2025. But the story starting off a bit more complex.

• Lake County: 205 permits (+2% YTD)
• Orange County: 204 permits (–23% YTD)

Lake County is quietly gaining momentum, while Orange County is starting the year on a softer note. This divergence suggests shifting residential development patterns, with more activity moving outward from the urban core.

Northeast Florida: (785 permits | +16% YTD)

Northeast Florida delivered 785 new pool permits, marking a 16% year‑to‑date increase—one of the strongest growth rates statewide.

Top counties:

• St. Johns County: 279 permits (+18% YTD)
• Marion County: 146 permits (+26% YTD)
• Duval County: 136 permits (+10% YTD)

Marion County’s 26% growth is particularly notable, reinforcing the region’s ongoing expansion as more homeowners migrate northward and inland.

Northwest Florida: (657 permits | +3% YTD)

Northwest Florida rounds out the list with 657 permits, reflecting a modest but meaningful 3% increase.

A few of the leading counties include:

• Bay County: 124 permits (-8% YTD)
• Santa Rosa County: 120 permits (+14% YTD)
• Walton County: 114 permits (+9% YTD)

Santa Rosa County’s 14% increase shows that even in a region known for steady, incremental growth, pockets of acceleration are emerging.

What the Q1 Data Suggests for 2026

While it is too early to declare 2026 a banner year, the first quarter paints a picture of continued statewide resilience in new pool construction. A few key takeaways include:

• Growth is uneven but present. Some regions are surging (Southwest, Northeast, West), while others are starting off cool (Southeast, Central).
• Population migration patterns continue to shape demand. Counties experiencing strong residential development have some overlap in also leading in pool construction.
• Early‑year data is directional, not definitive. Q1 is a starting point—not a forecast—but it does help construction professionals anticipate where labor, materials, and marketing resources may be most effectively deployed.

If the current trajectory holds, Florida’s pool construction industry may be gearing up for another year of steady expansion.

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.