The Modular Housing Committee reports solid growth for the modular housing industry at the national level for the fourth quarter of 2003. In the state and national survey of modular home shipments conducted by Hallahan Associates of Baltimore, MD, total homes shipped for the fourth quarter of 2003, and percentage change from a year ago, were reported as 9,600 modular homes or a (+10%) change.

For calendar year 2003, modular shipments nationally were 37,800 homes, up 5.7% over 2002. In terms of medium-term trends, this compares with 26,000 homes in 1994. South Carolina continued to post strong shipment gains of 33% growth in the fourth quarter, following the third quarter’s gain of 50%.

Thanks to the initiative and resources of the Modular Housing Committee, modular home growth began being tracked on a quarterly basis in 21 states 2003. The committee will also be adding three more states, Georgia, Florida, and Illinois, beginning with the first quarter of 2004.

Nationally, modular shipments have held steady at 2% - 2.1% of the single-family housing market excluding HUD-Code homes. [The U. S. Census bureau figures concur with this conclusion, but place the market penetration at 3%.] Of the four major modular states, two (North Carolina and Pennsylvania) have seen increasing market penetration of the site-built market since 2000, while two (Wisconsin and Michigan) have seen stabilization or better of modular shipment market shares after a one year drop between 2000 and 2001.

For the top ten states in modular shipments (ranked on year-over-year shipments for 2002), the fourth quarter 2003 results, and percentage changes from a year ago were reported as follows:

North Carolina
1,301 (+12%)

New York
941 (+30%)

Michigan
714 (+10%)

Pennsylvania
673 (+23%)

Virginia
649 (+73%)

Wisconsin
508 (+13%)

Ohio
412 (+1%)

New Jersey
314 (-3%)

Minnesota
329 (+9%)

Colorado,
357 (+70%)
               
For greater detail on the coverage of 21 states and the U. S. national picture, members can visit href="http://www.modularcouncil.org">www.modularcouncil.org. Please note that access to this information is limited to members only and is password protected.