Houston residential construction was No. 1 in the nation.

According to new data by the U.S. Census Bureau, residential construction in Houston was the most valuable in the nation in 2010 – even more data that suggests a bright future for housing for the city.

The bureau’s research studies all the private housing projects approved in 366 metropolitan areas. The Houston area, which came out at $4.17 billion, was the most valuable area in the study.

The data is only the latest in a series of reports spotlighting the economic advancements of Texas. In July, for instance, home sales in Houston spiked 17 percent from a year ago.

Dallas took second place at $3.87 billion of value in 2010, with New York’s $3.05 billion figure rounding out the top three areas.