Category Research

Browse reports prepared by our research team on the construction industry. We use data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, among other sources, to provide readers with up-to-date data and statistics relevant to the construction industry.

Suburban home

Where Are Millennials Buying Homes in the U.S.?

In order to cope with rising prices, millennials are taking out larger home loans with higher loan-to-value ratios than older generations. To identify where millennials are buying homes, researchers ranked metros and states according to the millennial share of conventional home purchase loans originated in 2023.
New construction

U.S. Cities Building the Most Homes

Although supply is a challenge across the U.S., some locations are progressing faster than others in authorizing new construction. Researchers ranked locations according to the number of new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes in 2023.
construction site

U.S. Construction Industry Facts, Stats & Trends

Every sector of the U.S. economy relies on the construction industry in some capacity. But just how big is the construction sector and how fast is it growing? This page provides an overview of key statistics and trends within the…

Construction laborer

Construction Jobs With the Fastest-Growing Wages

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.
Female construction worker

Best-Paying States for Women in Construction

Nationally, full-time female workers earn $52,478 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.
Construction workers

Cities With the Biggest Increase in Construction Jobs

In recent years, financial commitment from the federal government to rebuild and expand critical American infrastructure has been a boon for the construction industry. While short- and long-term labor shortages persist at the national level, some parts of the country have seen substantial growth in construction hiring.
Suburban home

U.S. Cities Investing in More Affordable Housing

Today, home prices are about 40% higher than pre-pandemic levels—but with mortgage rates doubling, the monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home has more than doubled since early 2020. These are the U.S. metros and states that are investing in more affordable housing.
Carpenter

The Best-Paying American Cities for Carpenters

To attract and retain workers, many employers are raising wages, providing a favorable outlook for carpenters—with some locations offering more lucrative prospects than others. Researchers calculated the median annual earnings for carpenters, adjusted for cost-of-living differences, then ranked metros and states accordingly.
Construction worker

Cities With the Fastest-Growing Wages for Construction Workers

High levels of inflation beginning in 2021 have, in many cases, more than offset the wage growth routinely touted as a positive of the COVID-era economy. And while wage growth is below-average nationally, construction workers in certain parts of the country have fared better. Researchers calculated the inflation-adjusted change in mean construction worker earnings from 2018 to 2023, then ranked locations accordingly.
Home for sale

U.S. Cities With the Biggest Increase in Housing Inventory

The U.S. has not built a sufficient number of homes to meet demand. The lack of housing affects certain areas more severely than others. We ranked locations based on the percentage change in the average monthly housing inventory—the total number of active listings plus pending sales at the end of the month—between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024.
Construction worker

The Most Popular Construction Jobs in the U.S.

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.
For rent

American Cities With the Highest Rental Vacancy Rates

High vacancy rates indicate an ample supply of rental properties, fostering competition among landlords and placing downward pressure on rent prices, which can lead to improved affordability for renters. These are the U.S. locations with the highest rental vacancy rates.
Millennial homeowner

Cities Where Millennials Are Buying the Most Expensive Homes

The median home purchase price for millennials in 2023 was $415,000—nearly 77% higher than the median home purchase price for Gen Z buyers, and second only to the Gen X median purchase price of $445,000. These are the U.S. locations where millennials are buying the most expensive homes.
Suburban home

Homebuyers in These U.S. Cities Get the Best Mortgage Rates

As the cost of homeownership continues to grow out of reach for many Americans, mortgage interest rates have become a central concern for both homebuyers and policymakers. These are the U.S. locations where buyers are getting the best mortgage rates.