Demand leaps past Longview homebuilders

​​​​​​LONGVIEW – Homebuilders are not keeping up with demand for new single-family homes—and prices are rising as a consequence, according to Robert Dietz, senior vice president and chief economist with the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, D.C.

According to Dietz the population in the Longview area is not growing as fast as the state as a whole, yet demand is outpacing supply.

He said population growth in Gregg, Rusk and Upshur counties was a modest 0.4 percent in 2015 and 0.1 percent in 2016.

He estimated 240 homes are built in the Longview market per year with an average home price at $267,267.​