Construction spending steady in September

Construction spending in September reached an estimated $1,195.9 billion, up 2.9 percent compared to September 2005, according to a Nov. 1 release from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Spending in the month stayed relatively level with the estimated $1,200 billion spent in August.

Residential construction fell 6.7 percent from the same period last year to $618.4 billion. Nonresidential construction, up 15.7 percent over September 2005, reached $577.5 billion.

In the nonresidential private category, lodging saw the biggest year-over-year gains at $22.4 billion, up 66.2 percent from the $13.5 billion in September 2005.

Office construction edged up 1.3 percent from August to $58.7 billion, up 22.8 percent from last year, according to the release.

Health care slipped 0.4 percent from August to $42.9 billion, but still sits 10.1 percent compared with last year.

Spending on education reached 86 billion, a 2.8 increase over August and 10.9 percent increase over September 2005, according to the release.

Click here to view the full Census report.