Wisconsin Sees Modest Increase in Single-Family Housing for 2025 Second Quarter

The Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) reports an 8.7% increase in single-family housing permits statewide for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, signaling cautious but continued momentum in the residential construction sector.

From April through June 2025, a total of 3,512 permits were issued, up from 3,231 during the same months in 2024. Year-to-date, the increase is more modest, with 6,960 total permits so far in 2025, a 0.5% rise over the 6,923 permits issued at the same point last year.

“This data is an encouraging sign that builders across the state are responding to demand,” said WBA Executive Director Brad Boycks. “While growth isn’t uniform across all counties, we’re seeing strong gains in several key areas that indicate ongoing consumer interest in single-family homes.”

Regional Highlights

Adams County led all counties in growth percentage for Q2, surging by 187.5%, issuing 46 permits compared to just 16 last year.

Other counties with notable gains include:

• Jefferson County (+119%)

• Green County (+90%)

• Columbia County (+81%)

• Racine County (+71.7%)

Waukesha County, a historically high-permitting area, rose by 50.6%, issuing 244 permits this quarter. Door County nearly doubled its activity (+48.8%), and Sheboygan County saw a healthy 43.6% increase.

Statewide Trends

While overall trends are positive, several counties experienced downturns. Iron County had zero permits issued in 2025 compared to 15 the previous year.

Other significant drops include:

• Vilas County (-94%)

• Oneida County (-77.9%)

• Taylor County (-34.8%)

• Bayfield (-31.8%)

Notably, Milwaukee County, despite a 15.4% increase in Q2, remains down 62.1% year-to-date, highlighting a sharp pullback in urban building activity compared to suburban and rural counterparts.

Walworth County was down 25% for the second quarter with 81 permits pulled, compared to 108 pulled in Q2 2024. Year to date, Walworth County has seen an 8% drop with 195 permits pulled in 2025 and 212 during the same time in 2024.

Year-to-Date Summary

Dane County continues to lead the state in total volume with 711 permits, a slight 1.6% increase from last year. Waukesha County is close behind at 442 permits, up 24.5% YTD. Brown County ranks third with 368 permits, though that's a 9.4% decrease year-over-year.

Many rural counties continue to show volatility due to small base numbers, but several like Columbia (+33.9%), Marathon (+33.1%), and Polk (+36.5%) showed meaningful increases YTD.

“The permitting data is a strong pulse-check for the state’s housing health,” said Mike Derrick, WBA President. “These numbers show resilience amid a challenging market influenced by material costs, labor availability, and interest rate fluctuations. Builders remain cautiously optimistic.”

The WBA will continue to monitor trends and advocate for policies that promote sustainable growth in housing across all regions of Wisconsin.

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See all building permit numbers.

About the Wisconsin Builders Association

The Wisconsin Builders Association is a professional trade association comprised of 20 local associations dedicated to helping members build communities around the state. We advocate the interests of 4,000 home building industry members to keep housing affordable and accessible for Wisconsin families, Protecting the American Dream for over 75 years.

About the Lakeland Builders Association

Lakeland Builders Associations (LBA) is a part of the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Chartered in 1979. LBA is a not-for-profit, professional trade organization serving home builders and the building industry in and around the Lake Geneva area of Walworth County, Wisconsin. LBA members are committed to their business and believe in professional development while also giving back to the industry in which they make a living and the community in which they live.