Indiana’s March Boost Leads Midwest In Single-Family Housing Starts

The Indiana Builders Association is a statewide trade organization representing Indiana’s home building, remodeling, and light commercial construction industry. Its March report saw a boost in Indiana single-family building permits, putting it ahead of its Midwest neighbors. Photo by Nick Youngson, Pix4free.
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS — Single-family building permits in Indiana saw a significant increase in March, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,689 permits were issued statewide last month, a 21% increase from the 1,399 permits pulled in February. This number is up 2% from March of 2024, when 1,656 permits were pulled.

A graphic of March single-family building permits by Indiana and its neighboring states. Photo from Indiana Builders Association.
Indiana outpaced neighboring states again, with Ohio issuing 1,402 permits, Michigan at 1,233, Illinois at 964, and Kentucky at 835.
Year-to-date, Indiana has recorded 4,441 single-family permits through the first three months of 2025, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024 with 4,383 permits.
“March’s uptick in permits is a strong sign that homebuilders are responding to continued demand and low inventory levels,” said Ryan Baker, president of the Indiana Builders Association. “Despite elevated interest rates, rising construction costs, and labor shortages, Indiana’s housing market remains one of the strongest in the Midwest.”

A graphic of March single-family building permits for the last ten years. Photo from Indiana Builders Association.