NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

August 27, 1998

High Proportion of Multiple Family Units Built in North Dakota

Housing units authorized for construction in North Dakota totaled 3,222 for 1997. That number represents nearly a 39-percent increase from 1996. However, a recent Economic Brief released by the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University also shows that nearly half of the housing units authorized in 1997 were for multiple family units—structures with at least five units.

"The growth in large apartment complexes may signal the need for more affordable homes,"says Richard Rathge, data center director. "Alternatively, it may suggest people want to remain very mobile. Regardless, the trends in new construction need to be monitored."

The number of housing units authorized for construction in North Dakota hit a low of 1,512 in 1990. Units authorized for construction reached a peak in 1983 at 4,364 followed by a slow down in the late 1980s. The 1990s, however, are showing an increase in units authorized. The value of housing units authorized for construction has followed a similar fluctuating pattern since 1980.

In 1997, three states each had more than 100,000 housing units authorized for construction. About one in every four of the nation's housing units were authorized in Florida (133,990), Texas (125,974) and California (109,589). These three states far outdistanced the rest of the nation, including high growth states like Georgia (75,123), North Carolina (73,015) and Arizona (57,762). North Dakota, with its 3,222 housing units authorized, ranked 43rd for 1997.

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Source: Richard Rathge (701) 231-8621

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136

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