US Construction Spending Rises 0.3% in December

On Friday, the US Census Bureau reported that total construction spending in December was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $2,168.8 billion, up 0.3% from the revised November estimate of $2,163.1 billion. However, compared to December 2024, spending was down 0.4% from $2,176.6 billion.

For all of 2025, construction spending totaled $2,164.4 billion, 1.4% lower than the $2,194.8 billion spent in 2024.

The Census Bureau noted that the December spending report also contains initial estimates for the month of November.

Private Construction

Private construction spending was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,647.1 billion in December, up 0.5% from the November estimate of $1,638.8 billion.

Residential construction rose 1.5% to $916.2 billion, up from $902.5 billion in November. Nonresidential construction declined 0.7% to $730.9 billion, compared to $736.3 billion in November.

For all of 2025, private construction totaled $1,647.5 billion, down 2.9% from $1,696.0 billion in 2024. Residential construction fell 2.6% to $905.2 billion, while nonresidential construction declined 3.1% to $742.4 billion.

Public Construction

Public construction spending was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $521.7 billion in December, down 0.5% from the November estimate of $524.3 billion.

Educational construction fell 0.8% to $114.0 billion, while highway construction declined 0.3% to $141.4 billion.

For all of 2025, public construction totaled $516.8 billion, up 3.6% from $498.7 billion in 2024. Educational construction increased 0.5% to $113.0 billion, while highway construction edged down 0.9% to $141.9 billion.