For many people planning to buy a house, a property’s square footage can significantly influence their home search. While understanding the average square footage of American homes can be a helpful starting point, it’s also a good idea to consider what size home will best fit your needs and lifestyle.

What Is The Average Size Of A House?

According to the 2023 Census, the median square footage of a new single-family home fell to 2,286 square feet, a reduction of nearly 15% over 8 years.

A Look At The History Of Home Sizes

In 1973 (the earliest year census data became available), the average size of a single-family home in the U.S. was 1,660 square feet. By 2015, the average square footage climbed to 2,687 square feet, increasing by roughly 60%. In contrast, real median income only grew by 40% between 1973 and 2015.