The Housing CenturyUS housing starts, 1889–present

States & metros

California

Building permits (units authorized), 1980–2024. Permits are not starts: nationally they ran about 8% above starts in 2024, and they miss building in places that don't require permits — an undercount that matters most in Texas. The per-capita rate divides a permit-place-only numerator by the whole state's population. See the data page.

Rank by units permitted, 2024
#3
peak: #1 (1984)
Units, 2024
101,545
peak: 314,641 (1986)
Share of US
6.9%
Per 1,000 residents
2.6
#41 of 51 on this rate
Units permitted in California by structure type
California's rank among the 50 states and DC, by units permitted
California's share of all US units permitted
Units permitted per 1,000 residents