The value of construction spending in 2005 was $1.12 trillion, 8.9 percent above the $1.03 trillion spent in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Private construction spending in 2005 was $872.7 billion, a 9.3 percent increase from 2004. Of that, residential construction spending was $626.1 billion (11.1 percent increase), and nonresidential spending was $246.6 billion (4.9 percent increase).

Public construction spending in 2005 was $247 billion, 7.7 percent above 2004 spending. Educational construction was $64.3 billion (7.9 percent increase), healthcare construction was $8.1 billion (9.8 percent increase), sewage and waste disposal spending was $17.6 billion (14.7 percent increase), and water supply spending was $11.9 billion (13.2 percent increase).