The US home-building industry is dominated by a few big players who construct thousands of homes each year. These companies shape the housing market, often setting trends in design and construction. This article looks at the ten largest home builders in the US and how they impact the industry and the communities they serve.
| Rank | Builder | Founded | Headquarters | 2022 Homes Closed (Units) | 2022 Revenue (Approx. $B) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.R. Horton | 1978 | Arlington, TX | 75,900 | 31.0 |
| 2 | Lennar Corporation | 1954 | Miami, FL | 55,700 | 25.1 |
| 3 | PulteGroup | 1950 | Atlanta, GA | 42,400 | 16.0 |
| 4 | NVR, Inc. | 1980 | Reston, VA | 22,300 | 10.3 |
| 5 | KB Home | 1957 | Los Angeles, CA | 17,800 | 6.1 |
| 6 | Taylor Morrison | 2007 | Scottsdale, AZ | 16,300 | 7.0 |
| 7 | Meritage Homes | 1985 | Scottsdale, AZ | 13,800 | 5.0 |
| 8 | Toll Brothers | 1967 | Horsham, PA | 9,600 | 7.8 |
| 9 | Century Communities | 2002 | Englewood, CO | 8,500 | 5.2 |
| 10 | LGI Homes | 2003 | The Woodlands, TX | 8,100 | 5.2 |
D.R. Horton
D.R. Horton was founded in 1978 by Donald R. Horton in Fort Worth, Texas. The company quickly expanded its operations, becoming one of the largest homebuilders in the country. By 2002, D.R. Horton had earned the title of the largest home builder in the US by volume, a position it has maintained ever since. The company’s growth is marked by its ability to adapt to market changes while maintaining a focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
In the 1990s, D.R. Horton expanded its reach by acquiring other home-building companies, allowing it to enter new markets across the United States. These strategic acquisitions helped solidify its position as a national leader in the industry. Today, D.R. Horton operates in 29 states and has built over half a million homes, serving a wide range of homebuyers, from entry-level to luxury.
Lennar Corporation
Lennar Corporation was established in 1954 by Leonard Miller and Arnold Rosen in Miami, Florida. Originally a small construction company, Lennar expanded into home building during the 1960s. The company focused on developing communities that offered a high quality of life for residents, which became a hallmark of the Lennar brand. By the 1980s, Lennar had become a major player in the home building industry, known for its innovative approach to residential development.
In 2000, Lennar made headlines by acquiring US Home Corporation, one of the nation’s largest home builders at the time. This acquisition significantly increased Lennar’s market share and solidified its position as one of the largest homebuilders in the country. Lennar continued to grow through additional acquisitions and by expanding its product offerings to include homes for a wide range of buyers.
PulteGroup
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PulteGroup, originally known as Pulte Homes, was founded in 1950 by Bill Pulte in Detroit, Michigan. The company started as a small home-building operation, with its first project being a five-room bungalow that Pulte built with the help of friends. Over the next few decades, Pulte Homes grew steadily, expanding its operations across the United States.
In 2009, Pulte Homes acquired Centex, another major home builder, in a move that created one of the largest home-building companies in the country. Following the acquisition, the company rebranded itself as PulteGroup, reflecting its expanded portfolio of brands, which now includes Pulte Homes, Centex, Del Webb, and others. This acquisition strategy has allowed PulteGroup to offer a diverse range of products, from affordable homes to luxury communities.
NVR, Inc.
NVR, Inc., founded in 1980 by Dwight Schar, started as a regional builder in northern Virginia. The company quickly expanded, focusing on efficient operations and a customer-first approach. By the 1990s, NVR had grown into one of the largest homebuilders in the US, known for its strong financial performance and strategic land acquisitions.
NVR operates through several brands, including Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes. These brands cater to different segments of the market, allowing NVR to reach a broad range of homebuyers. NVR’s business model emphasizes a land-light strategy, where the company avoids owning large tracts of land, reducing financial risk and allowing for more flexibility in its operations.
KB Home
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KB Home was founded in 1957 by Donald Kaufman and Eli Broad in Los Angeles, California. Originally known as Kaufman & Broad, the company was among the first to introduce the concept of affordable, entry-level homes, which quickly gained popularity. By the 1960s, KB Home had expanded to other markets, including France, becoming one of the largest homebuilders in the world.
In the 1980s, KB Home shifted its focus back to the US market, where it continued to grow by entering new regions and developing innovative home designs. The company was a pioneer in offering energy-efficient homes, a trend that has become increasingly important to today’s buyers. KB Home’s commitment to sustainability and affordability has helped it remain a leader in the home-building industry.
Taylor Morrison
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Taylor Morrison was founded in 2007 through the merger of Taylor Woodrow and Morrison Homes, two well-established home builders with long histories. Taylor Woodrow, a British company, had been in operation since the 1920s, while Morrison Homes had been building homes in the US since the 1940s. The merger created a powerful entity that quickly became one of the largest homebuilders in the country.
In 2020, Taylor Morrison made a major move by acquiring William Lyon Homes, another large home builder. This acquisition further strengthened its presence in key markets, particularly in the western US. Today, Taylor Morrison continues to be a leader in the industry, known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Meritage Homes
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Meritage Homes was founded in 1985 by Steve Hilton in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company started as a small regional builder but quickly expanded its operations. By the 1990s, Meritage Homes had established itself as a major player in the home building industry, known for its innovative approach to energy-efficient home design.
Meritage Homes was one of the first builders to focus on energy efficiency as a core part of its business strategy. The company introduced its Meritage Green program in the early 2000s, offering homes that are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Meritage Homes has also grown through strategic acquisitions, including its 2011 purchase of Legendary Communities, a builder with operations in the southeastern US. This acquisition expanded Meritage’s footprint and allowed it to enter new markets.
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers was founded in 1967 by Robert and Bruce Toll in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The company started as a small builder of luxury homes in the Philadelphia area, but it quickly gained a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Over the next few decades, Toll Brothers expanded its operations, becoming one of the largest builders of luxury homes in the US.
In the 1980s, Toll Brothers went public, raising capital to fuel its growth. The company continued to expand, entering new markets across the country. Toll Brothers focused on creating upscale communities with a range of amenities, catering to buyers looking for a high-end lifestyle.
Century Communities
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Century Communities was founded in 2002 by brothers Dale and Robert Francescon in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The company started as a regional builder but quickly expanded its operations, acquiring other home-building companies to enter new markets. By the 2010s, Century Communities had become one of the fastest-growing home builders in the US.
In 2014, Century Communities went public, raising capital to support its expansion efforts. The company continued to grow through acquisitions, including its 2018 purchase of Wade Jurney Homes, a builder known for its affordable entry-level homes. This acquisition made Century Communities one of the largest builders of entry-level homes in the US.
LGI Homes
LGI Homes was founded in 2003 by Eric Lipar in The Woodlands, Texas. The company focused on providing affordable, entry-level homes for first-time buyers. LGI Homes’ business model emphasizes a streamlined home-buying process, making it easier for customers to purchase a home with minimal hassle.
LGI Homes quickly gained traction in the Texas market and expanded into several other states by the 2010s. The company’s growth was fueled by its focus on affordability and customer service. In 2013, LGI Homes went public, which raised funds to support its expansion into new markets.
Conclusion
The largest homebuilders in the US have shaped the landscape of residential housing through their growth and innovation. These companies continue to play important roles in meeting the demand for homes across the country while offering a range of options for buyers from entry-level to luxury.