Economists surveyed by Bloomberg and Reuters predicted new housing starts would reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 745,000. The Commerce Department released data this morning showing that housing starts rose to 760,000 in June. 

Housing starts haven’t been at this level since October 2008, according to Reuters.

The Midwest has seen a significant increase in new housing units approved, but not started, in the last year. The Commerce Department reported today that the number increased by 55 percent in June over the same time last year, and increased 8.8 percent from May. 

Lower mortgage rates have driven demand, according to a report from the National Association of Homebuilders and Wells Fargo. Their index rose 6 points in May to the highest level since September 2002, according to Bloomberg.