Menu
Posted May 1, 2019

U.S. construction spending dips 0.9 percent in March

Nonresidential construction is the bright spot, ticking up 0.5 percent.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced the following value put in place construction statistics for March 2019:

Total Construction

Construction spending during March 2019 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,282.2 billion, 0.9 percent (±1.0 percent)* below the revised February estimate of $1,293.3 billion. The March figure is 0.8 percent (±1.5 percent)* below the March 2018 estimate of $1,293.1 billion.

During the first three months of this year, construction spending amounted to $277.7 billion, 0.2 percent (±1.3 percent)* below the $278.3 billion for the same period in 2018.

Private Construction

Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $961.5 billion, 0.7 percent (±0.7 percent)* below the revised February estimate of $968.6 billion.

  • Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $500.9 billion in March, 1.8 percent (±1.3 percent) below the revised February estimate of $510.1 billion.
  • Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $460.6 billion in March, 0.5 percent (±0.7 percent)* above the revised February estimate of $458.5 billion.

Public Construction

In March, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $320.7 billion, 1.3 percent (±2.0 percent)* below the revised February estimate of $324.7 billion.

  • Educational construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $76.6 billion, 1.5 percent (±3.5 percent)* below the revised February estimate of $77.8 billion.
  • Highway construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $104.5 billion, 1.9 percent (±5.8 percent)* below the revised February estimate of $106.5 billion.

CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE

The December 2024/January 2025 of Contractor Supply magazine is here!

Our cover story, A Diamond on the Rough, visits the family-owned Esch Construction Supply. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company sells and services anything that will cut, grind, drill or polish concrete.

    Also in this issue are a 2024 STAFDA show report and Industry Updates on Abrasives Discs and Wheels; Grinders and Sanders; Cold Weather PPE and Heaters; Jobsite Lighting and Ladders, Lifts and Scaffolds.

    This digital edition, sponsored by BECK AMERICA Inc., is fully searchable and contains live links to every advertiser and new product listing. Click away!

    Read the Articles                                       Read the Digital Edition  

    SPONSORED ADS