US Construction Spending Falls 1.9% in September 2026
Total construction spending dropped to $2.19 trillion in September, down 1.9% from a revised August figure of $2.23 trillion.
U.S. construction spending declined 1.9 percent in September 2026, falling to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,186.1 billion from a revised $2,227.4 billion in August, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The month-over-month drop carries a margin of error of plus or minus 0.7 percentage points, indicating the decline is statistically significant. The revised August figure itself reflected a 2.0 percent increase over the prior month, suggesting September's retreat partially unwound that prior gain.
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The back-to-back swings — a 2.0 percent rise in August followed by a 1.9 percent fall in September — point to volatility in construction activity during the late summer and early autumn period. Analysts tracking the sector will watch whether October data reveals a stabilizing trend or continued softness in spending.
Construction spending is a closely watched economic indicator, as it reflects investment across residential, nonresidential, and public infrastructure projects. A sustained pullback in the sector can signal broader caution among developers and government agencies about near-term economic conditions.
Continue reading at U.S. Census Bureau Economic Briefing Room.
