Anticipated residential permit activity shows growth is on tap

The same company that owns PUBLIC WORKS magazine and www.pwmag.com owns a company that tracks construction trends based on the number of building permits issued for single- and multifamily housing.

This map shows how many permits Hanley Wood Market Intelligence expects to be issued in each EPA region this year.

The figures in red are the total number of estimated permits and the percentage change from the number issued last year. By that measure, the entire country's poised for growth. New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (Region 2) are looking at an almost 100% increase over last year. Even the least robust area of the nation — Region 7's Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska — is expected to grow 14%.

But those numbers don't tell us how regions are faring historically.

The figure in blue text represents how well a region's forecast compares to its best year since 1979. By that measure, every region is at least 20% below its best year over the last 30 years.

The Midwest — Region 5 — is healthiest, relatively speaking; and Region 7 is weakest. Even Region 9, which includes beleaguered California, is closer to recovering.

HOW TO READ THIS MAP: EPA region

Total 2010 permits (estimated) / Percent change from 2009

2010 forecast as percentage of best month (converted to a seasonally adjusted annual rate) since 1979

Source: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence

Source: PUBLIC WORKS

Source: PUBLIC WORKS

Source: PUBLIC WORKS, February 2009

Source: PUBLIC WORKS, November 2009