Construction Spending Declined 12.4% in 2009

Construction spending during December 2009 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $939.1 billion, 1.2% lower than the revised November 2009 estimate of $913.2 billion and 9.9% below the December 2008 estimate of a little over $1 trillion.

Construction spending amounted to $939.1 billion for the year 2009, 12.4% below the $1.0721 billion spent in 2008. (Note the latest figures are estimates and subject to revision over the next few months.)

Private residential spending declined 2.8% from $268.1 billion in November 2009 to $260.5 billion in December 2009, which in turn was 10.9% lower than December 2008, when spending was estimated at $292.3 billion.

Nonresidential construction declined 0.5% from an estimated $637 billion in November 2009 to $633.9 billion in December 2009, which in turn was 9.8% lower than December 2008, when spending was estimated at $702.7 billion.

Private nonresidential construction, previously declining at a rate approaching free fall, increased 0.2% from $331.8 billion in November 2009 to $332.5 billion in December 2009. Public nonresidential construction declined 1.3% from $305.2 billion in November 2009 to $301.3 billion in December 2009.

Craig DiLouie

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