Improving Markets Index

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metro area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

New Metros

  • Gadsden, AL
  • Hanford, CA
  • Salinas, CA
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • Tallahassee, FL
  • Dalton, GA
  • Savannah, GA
  • Sioux City, IA
  • Lewiston, ID
  • Champaign, IL
  • Chicago, IL
  • Kankakee, IL
  • Topeka, KS
  • Lexington, KY
  • Alexandria, LA
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Springfield, MA
  • Battle Creek, MI
  • Hattiesburg, MS
  • Burlington, NC
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Altoona, PA
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Sumter, SC
  • Cleveland, TN
  • Laredo, TX
  • Sherman, TX
  • Mount Vernon, WA
  • Parkersburg, WV

 

Metros Dropped

  • Mobile, AL
  • Montgomery, AL
  • Jonesboro, AR
  • Hartford, CT
  • New Haven, CT
  • Hinesville, GA
  • Bloomington, IL
  • South Bend, IN
  • Elizabethtown, KY
  • Houma, LA
  • Worcester, MA
  • Duluth, MN
  • Great Falls, MT
  • Fayetteville, NC
  • Hickory, NC
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • York, PA
  • Anderson, SC
  • Columbia, SC
  • Johnson City, TN
  • Beaumont, TX
  • El Paso, TX
  • Blacksburg, VA
  • La Crosse, WI

 

Top Metros

Top Metros Permit Growth in June 2013

Looking for More?

View the data for each market listed in this report.
Download the Data

 

** From trough. 

The NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) is released on the fouth business day of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET, unless that day falls on a Friday, in which case, the index will be released the following Monday. A full calendar of release dates can be found at www.nahb.org/imi

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for the info!
Share Contact us about this page
Print Font Size A A A
"The continued strength of the IMI is an indicator of the ongoing, positive momentum in housing markets nationwide as consumers move to take advantage of historically favorable interest rates and affordable home prices."
-- Kurt PfotenhauerVice ChairmanFirst American TitleInsurance Company

Media Inquiries

Carrie Loranger
Corporate Communications
First American Financial Corporation

1 First American Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Call - 714.250.3298
Contact Us

Email This Page

Please Contact Me

Visit a State Website