Between each decennial census, the US Census Bureau produces an authoritative population estimate each July to reflect the previous year. The estimate includes all US counties and therefore subsequent MSA, non-metro, ZIP Code, State and regional subtotals. Using USCB data, the number of households is extracted from population details because consumer behavior is a function of household activity. Market size growth rate is one indicator of market strength, while the proportions of HHs relative to GDP, median HH income or housing starts are also relevant measures of economic potential.

Among the most aggressively tracked data bases relating to economic activity is the monthly array of residential construction detail gathered by The Manufacturing and Construction Division of the US Census Bureau. Monthly summaries of new residential permits are available by state; MSA and all permit issuing places. Actual housing starts are about 1.6% less than permits, and that factor is accounted for in determining the seasonally adjusted annual starts applicable to all markets identified in this publication. Starts are separated into single-unit and multi-unit categories, and are based on both the weighted trend and forecast market conditions. Door and operator usage per unit is based on observed regional variations in garage inclusion and door configuration. The ratio of number of HH to the number of housing starts in a given market (HH per Housing Starts) indicates the intensity of construction activity, with lower numbers (20.0 or less) signifying the most active markets.