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Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 15/06/2026

And, overall, that story is true. Between 2000 & 2020, more conservative metropolitan areas like Houston & Phoenix added many more homes than liberal ones like Chicago & New York City. Ideologically conservative regions are adding homes more quickly.

Percent increase in housing units overall, 2000-2020, by metro area and central city

4171

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 15/06/2026

The story becomes more complicated when examining *where* homes were added in each metro area, though! Liberal metropolitan areas like NYC & Seattle added many more homes near existing homes than did most conservative metro areas. That means their residents experienced more nearby construction.

Weighted average number of units added, 2000-2020, within a 1/2 mile of each housing unit in 2000

2202

CitrineGlitters @citrineglitter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Liberal metropolitan areas like NYC & Seattle are highly desirable areas to move to, as opposed to most conservative metro areas. (Birmingham, Alabama, anybody? Oklahoma City?) That means their residents have a wide variety of housing to choose from, including new construction. That's bad, is it?

000

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 15/06/2026

When I examined trends among cities, I found that cities with more conservative residents added housing much more quickly... *But* more liberal cities added much more housing in infill areas. Liberal cities did a better job adding homes through construction in existing neighborhoods.

Percent change in housing supply by local political ideology.

1242