Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones is a senior researcher and data journalist for Construction Coverage. He received his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and has degrees in philosophy and political science from UCLA. When Jon is not researching real estate and public policy, he likes to fix up old cars and work on home improvement projects.
  • Joined: October 26, 2018
  • Articles: 90

Cities Where the Construction Industry Depends Most on Foreign Workers

Foreign-born construction worker

Nationwide, over a quarter of the construction workforce is foreign-born—and in several major metros, that figure exceeds 50%. As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, these markets in particular could see crews thin out, costs climb, and key projects delayed.

Cities With the Most Construction Workers

Construction worker

Construction workers remain a crucial component of the American workforce, and contribute significantly to the country's economic development. Using the latest data available, researchers at Construction Coverage identified the U.S. states and metros with the largest shares of employment in the construction industry.

The Fastest-Growing Jobs in Construction

Cellular tower repair

Recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggest that construction employment will continue to grow at a rate exceeding the national average over the next decade. These are the fastest-growing jobs in construction.

U.S. Cities Building the Most Multi-Family Housing

Multi-family construction

Multi-family housing plays a crucial role in bolstering housing availability in states with substantial urban populations. Looking at new units authorized by building permits in 2024, researchers identified the states and metros building the most multi-family housing.

The Most Popular Construction Jobs in the U.S.

Construction worker

It is estimated that an additional 501,000 construction professionals will be needed in the industry this year, plus an additional 454,000 in 2025 on top of normal hiring. These are the most popular construction jobs in the U.S. right now.

The Best U.S. Cities to Find a Starter Home

Suburban home

While conditions are challenging for new home buyers everywhere, some parts of the U.S. are more favorable than others. These are the best U.S. metros and states to find a new starter home.

Cities With the Highest Home Price-to-Income Ratios

Suburban home

Housing is the largest regular expenditure for most households, so the failure of wages to keep up with housing prices can make housing costs even more expensive in real dollars. To find the locations with the highest home price-to-income ratios, researchers ranked locations by the median home price divided by the median annual household income.

U.S. Cities Investing in More Affordable Housing

Suburban home

Middle-income buyers are being squeezed out of the market: as of early 2025, households earning around $75,000 annually could afford just 21% of listings—less than half the share available to them before the pandemic. These are the U.S. metros and states that are investing in more affordable housing.

Construction Jobs With the Fastest-Growing Wages

Construction laborer

The U.S. is in the midst of a skilled worker shortage that is projected to worsen as an already aging construction workforce reaches retirement. To fill the demand, construction firms will need to recruit the next generation of skilled workers—and one way to attract more qualified workers is by increasing pay.

Best-Paying States for Women in Construction

Female construction worker

Nationally, full-time female workers earn $54,044 annually in the construction sector. However, pay varies widely by state, and regional differences in the cost of living affect how far a salary will go in a given location. These are the best-paying states for women in construction.

Cities Where You’re Most Likely to Find a Newly-Built Home

New construction

The median age of a home in the U.S. is now over 40 years old, underscoring the need for both renovation of existing properties and the construction of new ones to meet growing demand. These are the locations with the most newly-built homes.

U.S. Cities With the Biggest Change in Rent Prices

Apartment buidling

More than half of all U.S. states have seen rent grow by double-digit percentages. At the metro level, the pace of rent changes can be even more stark. These are the locations with the biggest increases in median rent from 2024 to 2025.

U.S. Cities Investing the Most in Home Improvements

Home improvement

Investing in home improvements varies by location due to factors such as cost of living, local economic conditions, and the housing market. Our researchers ranked U.S. states and metros according to the number of home improvement loans taken out per 1,000 owner-occupied households.

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