Single-family homes shrink in size to decade low

As reported by the NAHB in a recent press release, an expected impact of the virus crisis is a need for more residential space, as people use homes for more purposes including work. Home size correspondingly increased in 2021 as interest rates reached historic lows. However, as interest rates increased in 2022, and housing affordability worsened, the demand for home size has trended lower.

According to second quarter 2023 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area declined to 2,191 square feet, the lowest reading since the end of 2010. Average (mean) square footage for new single-family homes fell to 2,415 square feet.

Since Great Recession lows (and on a one-year moving average basis), the average size of a new single-family home is now 3% higher at 2,465 square feet, while the median size is 6% higher at 2,234 square feet.

LBM Resources

White Paper: ECI’s 2022 Lumber, Building Material, and Hardlines Survey Report

Get the latest info on Home and Building Supply Trends with ECI's 2022 Lumber, Building Material, and Hardlines Survey Report.

Home size rose from 2009 to 2015 as entry-level new construction lost market share. Home size declined between 2016 and 2020 as more starter homes were developed. After a brief increase during the post-covid building boom, home size is trending lower and will likely do so as housing affordability remains constrained.

Get our free newsletter

Join thousands of other lumber and building material industry leaders and keep up with the companies, people, products and issues shaping the industry.

What's New

Digital Partners

Become a digital partner ...

Sales Comp Study

Download this 55-page, in-depth study by LBM Journal of industry trends in sales force compensation and benefits. See how your organization stacks up.

Webinars

- Advertisement -

White Papers

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Partner Content

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Registration is now open for the LBM Strategies 2024 Conference