The Wisconsin Builders Association is reporting single-family construction has increased 36% in the first quarter of 2024.
Price County has a 40% increase with 14 new home starts from January through March which compares to 10 new starts for the same period in 2023, according to an April 29 press release. Rural counties overall have the highest growth, whereas urban areas have the most starts.
Evan Lund, the Price County Land Conservation and Zoning administrator, said the increase could be due to a number of factors. It’s just too soon to tell if it’s a growth trend.
“There has been more building activity this year but a lot of it could be due to the mild winter/early spring giving people a head start on construction,” Lund said. “We will have a better idea of trends moving into the second and third quarters of the year.”
The Wisconsin Builders Association said the data submitted by all municipalities across the state shows 3,692 new home permits were pulled statewide between Jan. 1 and March 31, which is about 980 more permits than in quarter one of 2023.
“Wisconsin is showing numbers that are on par with both midwest and national numbers, which are 36% and 43%, respectively,” said WBA President Jim Doering. “In February alone, we saw a 50% increase in permits pulled throughout the state.”
The counties that saw the highest (130%+) growth year-over-year in quarter one were Barron, Florence, Iron, Marinette, Milwaukee, Pierce, Sawyer, and Sheboygan counties. Metropolitan areas of the state saw the highest numbers of permits pulled in quarter one with Brown County; 177, Dane County; 396, Milwaukee County; 275, and Waukesha County; 193.
“Lack of existing inventory continues to fuel the homebuilding industry” said WBA Executive Director Brad Boycks. “Coupled with a relatively mild winter, we are very pleased with the stable increase in single family permits compared to quarter one last year.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0