The increase in Harris County population from 4.2 million to 4.6 million from 2012-17 corresponded with a burst of new construction in the county from 2012-14. However, the number of new building permits issued for single-family homes has not exceeded 18,000 since 2014, according to a study by the Texas A&M University Real Estate Center.

Although new construction has slowed its rapid growth pace, home prices have continued to climb—the average unit increased from $166,700 to $183,500 from 2012-17, or 10 percent, according to TAMU.