Building Permits Fall for Second Straight Month, Homebuilding Still Booming

INDIANAPOLIS (OCTOBER 21, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) saw its second consecutive drop in single-family building permits in September, down 9% from September 2020. Despite the slowdown, the nine-county area still holds a 28% cumulative increase over 2020, with 8039 permits so far in 2021 compared to 6282 at this time last year.

Single-family building permits down 9% from September 2020.

“After a year and a half, we’re beginning to see the market return to a more normal demand,” Steve Lains, CEO of the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis said. “However, our industry continues to feel the effects of the ongoing supply chain issues, which aids in the decrease of building activity. These challenges will continue into 2022.”

Morgan County and Hancock County were the only two counties to see an increase in building permit numbers this month when compared to September 2020, with a 53% and 22% increase, respectively. Each of the nine counties has seen an increase in permits issued when comparing to last year’s cumulative average.

Morgan County saw a 53% increase in permits from September 2020.

Permit Breakdown by County:

County2020 Permits (Jan-Sept)2021 Permits (Jan- Sept)
Boone County488583
Hamilton County17852678
Hancock County588797
Hendricks County10401195
Johnson County689765
Madison County342463
Marion County10591081
Morgan County214338
Shelby County77139

The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis is a professional trade association representing residential homebuilders, associates and remodelers. For more information, call 317-236-6330; or visit www.BAGI.com/permits/ for permits numbers from 2000-2021.

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HOMES BUILD OUR LOCAL ECONOMY – in 2020, new home construction created $1.55 billion in local income, over $352 million in local taxes, and 26,284 jobs.