Housing starts in the United States increased 3.9 percent in August 2021

Washington, D.C. – Housing starts in the United States increased 3.9 percent in August 2021 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.615 million units, rebounding from a downward revised 6.2 percent decline in July and outperforming market expectations of 1.554 million.

Buildings with five or more units began construction at a 21.6 percent increase to 530,000, while single-family homes began construction at a 2.8 percent decline to 1,076,000.

Starts increased most significantly in the Northeast (167.2 percent, the highest level since January), the Midwest (11.4 percent), and the South (1.4 percent), but declined in the West (-21.1 percent )