If there’s one thing Texans know, it’s heat—and if there’s one thing construction professionals know, it’s that heat sells pools. But as we step into 2026, the latest HBW permit data suggests that the Lone Star State’s new swimming pool construction market is off to a somewhat tempered start.
During the first quarter of 2026, 1,345 new swimming pool construction permits were added to the HBW database across the major metro areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. That total reflects an 8% year‑to‑date decrease compared to Q1 2025.
Before anyone starts draining their optimism along with their filters, remember: this is only Q1. Early‑year figures are more of a temperature check than a full‑season forecast. Still, they offer valuable insight into where demand is heating up—and where it’s cooling off.
Let’s dive into the regional breakdown.
Dallas
512 permits | 25% YTD decrease vs. Q1 2025
Dallas leads the state in total permit volume, but the region is also posting the steepest year‑over‑year decline. Even so, the internal county‑level dynamics tell a more nuanced story.
- Tarrant County – 158 permits | 22% YTD increase Tarrant is the unexpected overachiever this quarter, bucking the regional trend with solid growth.
- Collin County – 138 permits | 9% YTD decrease vs. Q1 2025
- Denton County – 118 permits | 22% YTD decrease vs. Q1 2025
Despite the broader slowdown, Dallas remains the state’s largest pool‑building hub.
Houston
455 permits | 6% YTD increase vs. Q1 2025
While the statewide trend is dipping, Houston is doing its own thing—namely, growing, with the bulk of new construction originating from Harris County:
- Harris County – 309 permits | 13% YTD increase
Houston’s resilience stands out. Whether it’s population growth, economic stability, or simply the fact that Houston summers demand a body of water within sprinting distance, the region is outperforming the statewide pattern. Construction professionals should keep an eye on Houston as a potential bellwether for mid‑year momentum.
Austin
252 permits | 34% YTD increase vs. Q1 2025
Austin is the star of the first quarter—no surprise for a region that has spent the last decade redefining “growth market.” The majority of new pool construction took place in Travis County:
- Travis County – 227 permits | 60% YTD increase
A 60% jump in Travis County is not just growth—it’s acceleration. Whether driven by continued in‑migration, high‑end residential development, or the region’s ongoing interest in outdoor living, Austin is the only market showing this level of upward force so early in the year.
San Antonio
126 permits | 18% YTD decrease vs. Q1 2025
San Antonio rounds out the list with a modest permit count and a notable year‑over‑year decline, and the bulk of new permits originated from Bexar County:
- Bexar County – 97 permits | 14% YTD decrease
While the region isn’t necessarily matching the pace of its neighbors, San Antonio’s construction market tends to move with steadier, more incremental shifts. Q1 softness doesn’t necessarily indicate a full‑year trend—just a slower start.
While it’s too early to declare winners, losers, or long‑term trajectories, Q1 2026 offers several meaningful takeaways for construction professionals:
- Texas is still a high‑volume pool market, even with an 8% dip.
- Regional performance varies widely, with Austin and Houston showing strong early‑year momentum.
- County‑level data matters—Tarrant and Travis counties, in particular, are outperforming their broader metros.
- Q1 does not define annual performance, but it is a valuable indicator of where demand is currently concentrated.
In other words: don’t roll up the blueprints just yet. The year is young, the weather is warming, and demand for pools and outdoor amenities will continue. For builders, suppliers, and industry analysts, permit data remains one of the most reliable early indicators of market direction. While 2026 begins with a slight statewide contraction, the strength in Houston and Austin—and the pockets of growth within Dallas—suggest that demand is far from evaporating.
If anything, the first quarter reminds us that Texas is not a monolith. Each metro area has its own economic drivers, demographic shifts, and construction rhythms. Understanding those nuances is what separates reactive planning from strategic foresight.
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.