---
title: [Infographic] 2021 Residential Construction Stats & Trends
description: Read for more on the top single-family residential construction stats and trends you'll want to track in 2021 and beyond.
---

[![BCI BuildCentral](https://info.buildcentral.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BuildCentral_SingleFamilyBlog/images/header-logo.png?width=3000&height=400&name=header-logo.png "BCI BuildCentral")](https://www.buildcentral.com/)

![Construction](https://info.buildcentral.com/hubfs/2-Jan-27-2021-05-53-13-99-PM.png "Construction")

# \[Infographic\] RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION STATS & TRENDS FOR 2021

<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaHJUaeonl8f706jTElEm9g?sub_confirmation=1><https://www.linkedin.com/company/98538><https://www.facebook.com/1337079319761973>

Single-family detached residential construction is looking up these days.   
[According to the Census Bureau, December permits were up 17% year over year. We haven't seen those numbers since 2006.](http://snip.ly/nw7y9r)

As demand for single-family residential housing surges, suppliers, builders, developers and investors are eyeing single-family construction as their next growth lever.

**What are the top trends in residential construction? **

Let's take a look at what's trending in residential construction housing design tastes, new building materials and building techniques.

## HOME SIZE IS INCREASING

Data shows there is a slight increase in preference in the size of new homes to allow for:

- Offices
- Gyms
- Leisure space
- WFH (work from home space)

## BUILT-TO-RENT HOME CONSTRUCTION

[One of the hottest trends we're tracking this year is the built-to-rent category. ](https://bdmag.com/rent-single-family-homes/)

There has never been higher demand for single-family detached housing.

Still, the prospect of a mortgage for singles, new families and free-spirited empty-nesters can be a dreamcrusher.

Single-family rentals create a win-win by removing some of the risk for developers.  And while home rentals are no new thing, building whole single-family subdivisions for rent is. 

About 16 million rental properties today are single-family homes, and another 13 million rental households are expected to be formed by 2030, according to the Urban Institute.

## WHAT DO HOMEOWNERS WANT IN 2021?

- 91% of homeowners want a laundry room
- 89% want energy efficient windows
- 87% want a patio/outdoor living area
- 85% want garage storage space
- 83% want a walk-in pantry

[![](https://info.buildcentral.com/hubfs/RESIDENTIAL%20CONSTRUCTION%20INFOGRAPHIC%20JANUARY%202021.png)](https://info.buildcentral.com/residential-construction-trends)  
Infographic design by [BuildCentral](https://www.buildcentral.com)

## NEW BUILDING MATERIALS COME TO THE FOREFRONT 

The rise of new building materials is particularly interesting as the Biden administration has stressed addressing climate change as a priority.

Just as solar has been mandated for new home construction in California, we could see the rest of the country follow suit, or at the very least [mandate greener building products.  ](https://elemental.green/10-eco-building-materials-revolutionizing-home-construction/)

Look for materials like environmentally-friendly wool bricks and [roads made from recycled tires and construction rubble to enter the mainstream.](https://www.sciencealert.com/old-tyres-and-rubble-could-make-up-the-sustainable-roads-of-the-future)

## OUTDOOR SPACE IS PRIZED MORE THAN EVER

Kids like yards and parents like peace and quiet.

Parents and soon-to-be parents and are prioritizing outdoor space as they look to avoid COVID-friendlier condos with elevators and common areas.

And since adults like to play too, space for a new deck, barbecue or swimming pool are not out of the question as the pandemic persists and families look toward at-home entertainment options.

 

## GET A CLOSER LOOK

You can do more than read about these trends.  See them playing out in real life with a subscription to SingleFamilyData from BuildCentral.

Track new single-family subdivisions, built-for-rent communities, age-restricted developments and more.

Identify and impact regional builders and developers to sell to single-family homes at scale.

 

### SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL

 

 

© Copyright 2020 BuildCentral, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | 200 W. Madison St., Suite 1110 Chicago, IL 60606

[![ClickCease](https://monitor.clickcease.com)](https://www.clickcease.com)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "VideoObject",
  "caption" : {
    "@type" : "MediaObject",
    "contentUrl" : "https://info.buildcentral.com/media-transcripts/40512685398/en.vtt",
    "inLanguage" : "en",
    "name" : "en Captions"
  },
  "contentUrl" : "https://6391927.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6391927/OFFICIAL%20SINGLEFAMILYDATA%20EXPLAINER.mp4",
  "dateModified" : "2025-11-15T01:51:22.485Z",
  "description" : "",
  "duration" : "PT2M43.024S",
  "height" : 1078,
  "name" : "OFFICIAL SINGLEFAMILYDATA EXPLAINER",
  "thumbnailUrl" : "https://6391927.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6391927/OFFICIAL%20SINGLEFAMILYDATA%20EXPLAINER.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1763171482485",
  "uploadDate" : "2021-01-11T05:06:36.227Z",
  "width" : 1920
}
```