Chart: Average Single-Family Home Size Increasing

An expected impact of the virus crisis is a need for more residential space, as people use homes for more purposes including work. Recent data confirms this impact on the market is occurring.

According to second quarter 2021 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area increased to 2,297 square feet. Average (mean) square footage for new single-family homes increased to 2,540.

Since Great Recession lows (and on a one-year moving average basis), the average size of new single-family homes is now 5.5% higher at 2,502 square feet, while the median size is about 8.5% higher at 2,280 square feet.

Home size rose from 2009 to 2015 as entry-level new construction was constrained. Home size declined between 2016 and 2020 as more starter homes were developed. Going forward we expect home size to increase again, given a shift in consumer preferences for more space due to the increased use and roles of homes (for work, for study) in the post-Covid-19 environment.