Construction spending totaled $2.172 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in April. That figure is 0.4 percent above the revised March rate and 0.9 percent higher than the April 2025 level.
Public construction spending increased 0.4 percent in April and was 3.7 percent higher than one year earlier. The largest public category, highway and street construction, increased by 0.4 percent from March and 3.9 percent over the past year. That segment alone accounts for more than a quarter of total public construction and contributes to economic growth through improved travel times for people and freight, as well as supporting industries that supply materials and equipment for the projects.
Private residential construction increased 0.8 percent for the month, and 1.7 percent compared to April 2025. Single-family construction increased 1.4 percent from March but remained 2.9 percent below year-ago levels. Multifamily construction slipped 0.3 percent for the month but was 1.1 percent higher than a year earlier.
Private nonresidential construction declined 0.2 percent in April and fell 2.1 percent compared to April 2025. Manufacturing construction continued to weaken sharply, dropping 18.5 percent over the past 12 months. The next-largest private category, electric power and oil and gas-related construction, rose 0.6 percent for the month and 6.0 percent year over year. Commercial construction slipped by 0.7 percent from March but rose 1.5 percent from April 2025, with warehouse construction down 1.6 percent year over year and retail construction up 5.9 percent. Private office construction, including data centers, climbed 1.0 percent for the month and 9.4 percent over 12 months, with data centers jumping 28 percent over 12 months while actual offices fell 5.5 percent.
Association officials noted that federal funding for highway and transit construction supports projects in every state, improving travel times for individuals and freight while improving safety.
Published July 2026