Housing Starts Rose 18.6% in January

Washington, DC, March 8, 2019--Privately‐owned housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,230,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18.6% above the revised December estimate of 1,037,000 but 7.8% below the January 2018 rate of 1,334,000.

Single‐family housing starts in January were at a rate of 926,000; this is 25.1% above the revised December figure of 740,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 289,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,345,000. This is 1.4% above the revised December rate of 1,326,000 but is 1.5% below the January 2018 rate of 1,366,000. Single‐family authorizations in January were at a rate of 812,000; this is 2.1% below the revised December figure of 829,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 482,000 in January.

Privately‐owned housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,230,000. This is 18.6% above the revised December estimate of 1,037,000 but is 7.8% below the January 2018 rate of 1,334,000. Single‐family housing starts in January were at a rate of 926,000; this is 25.1% above the revised December figure of 740,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 289,000.

Privately‐owned housing completions in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,244,000. This is 27.6% above the revised December estimate of 975,000 and is 2.1% above the January 2018 rate of 1,218,000. Single‐family housing completions in January were at a rate of 914,000; this is 30.2% above the revised December rate of 702,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 327,000.