Total U.S. construction starts were up 3.1% month-over-month in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.26 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. It was an acceleration from August’s 1.7% growth and July’s 10.2% slump.

Nonresidential building starts rose by 11.9%, residential starts improved 3.6%; and nonbuilding starts fell 6.2% over the month. On a year-to-date basis through September, total U.S. construction starts were up 3.5% from 2024. Nonresidential starts were up 5.0%; residential starts were down 4.2%; and nonbuilding starts were 10.8% higher over the same period.

For the 12 months ending September 2025, total construction starts were up 6.7% year-over-year. Residential starts were down 1.4%; nonresidential starts increased 6.8%; and nonbuilding starts were up 16.7% over the same period.

“September construction starts data marks the third month of steady improvements,”Dodge Chief Economist Eric Gaus said an Oct. 19 news release. “However, a 3% growth rate is just keeping up with inflation, and we need fourth quarter growth of 25% to match annual growth of 2024. Megaprojects continue to provide significant report; just six projects accounted for 12% of the total value in September.”

See Dodge’s September Construction Starts Report here.