Connecticut is Building Housing at a Much Lower Rate Than Nationally
Building permit data can provide insight into how much housing is being proposed to be built at both the town and state level. Although, a permit doesn’t necessarily mean units — one housing permit could be for multiple units or the housing might not get built. However, looking at new housing permits provides context into building activity in Connecticut with the United States, as well as how permitting varies across towns within the state.
Connecticut Issues Far Fewer Housing Permits Than the United States Overall
Connecticut consistently issues new housing permits at a much lower rate than the nation as a whole. From 2020 to 2024, the national rate of new permits has been roughly three to four times higher than Connecticut’s.
Even in years when Connecticut sees a slight increase in new housing permits, it remains well below the national average.
Explore data by year in the visualization to the right.
New Housing Permits Vary Widely Across Connecticut Towns
At the town level, data shows large differences across Connecticut. A small number of towns are permitting new housing at much higher rates, while others add very few permits. This map represents the most recent data available.
Note that new housing permit totals are sums of permits issued from 2020–2024 and do not indicate completed construction. Totals may include multiple permits for the same lot.
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