US housing starts fall 5.2% to 1.221 million in September
The Census Bureau reports housing starts at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,221,000 in September, down 5.2% on August and 7.4% below September 2025. Permits were roughly flat at 1.4 million.
The Census Bureau reported on 20 October 2026 that privately owned housing starts ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,221,000 in September. That is 5.2% below August's rate and 7.4% below the 1,319,000 pace of September 2025.
Starts and permits
- Total starts: 1,221,000 in September
- Single-family starts: 859,000
- Building permits: 1,400,000, roughly flat on August
- Permits for five-plus unit buildings: 503,000
- Single-family permits: 845,000
Permits are an early signal of future construction. They held up better than starts this month, so the gap between approvals and new building has widened. The Census release gives the next figure on 18 November.
Reading it
Starts are volatile from month to month, and single readings should be read alongside the trend. The fall in starts comes as builders report weaker buyer demand; the NAHB survey for October shows the same pressure. For the August figures, see US housing starts in August.
Live prices: EUR/USD.
Sources
Common questions
How many housing starts were there in September 2026?
Starts ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,221,000, down 5.2% on August.
What were building permits in September 2026?
Permits were 1,400,000, roughly flat on August. Single-family permits were 845,000.
When is the next Census housing starts release?
The Census Bureau lists the next release for 18 November 2026.
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