In the first quarter of this year, the Lone Star State has exhibited a solid start in the residential construction market; based on HBW’s latest Building Activity Trend Report for new residential construction in Texas, there have been 19,490 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database (Q1-2025), reflecting a 5 percent year-over-year increase.

The report covers the four major metropolitan areas in Texas—Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Houston recorded the highest volume of new construction permits, totaling 9,158, while the Dallas area experienced the most significant year-over-year growth in permitting activity, with a 13% increase.

Here is a closer look at the permit data for each of the four metro areas of Texas during Q1-2025:

Houston

As previously noted, the greatest concentration of new residential construction activity took place in Houston last month where there were 9,158 new permits added to the HBW database; this reflects a 3 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year. Out of the five counties that make up the area, nearly half of all new residential construction permits originated from Harris County (4,255 permits), while the greatest amount of growth could be found in Brazoria County (521 permits) where there was an 18 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.

Dallas

Since the start of this year (thru March), there have been more than 6,920 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the Dallas area, reflecting a 13 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year. Out of the six counties that make up the Dallas area, more than half of all new home construction took place in the two counties of Collin (2,583 permits) and Tarrant (1,653 permits).

San Antonio

In the first quarter of this year, San Antonio exhibited a decrease in residential construction in comparison to last year. Through March, the area has exhibited a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction, resulting in approximately 1,760 new permits on record with HBW. Out of the three counties that make up the area, well more than half of all new permits originated from Bexar County where there was an excess of 1,235 new permits in the first quarter, reflecting a 3 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction.

Austin

In the first quarter of this year, new home construction in Austin has been off to a slower start as there has been a 2 percent year-over-year decrease in construction activity, resulting in nearly 1,655 new permits. Out of the four counties that make up the area, the majority of all new home construction activity took place in the two counties of Williamson County (827 permits) and Travis County (488 permits).

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.