By Tony C. Dreibus

March 23 (Bloomberg) -- Lumber demand in the U.S. may rise 6.1 percent in 2010 as a stronger economy boosts housing construction, the Western Wood Products Association said.

U.S. consumers will use 32.9 billion board feet this year, the Portland, Oregon-based industry group said today in a statement. Demand will rise to 36.1 billion board feet in 2011, the group said. Housing starts in the U.S. are expected to reach 618,000 units in 2010, up 12 percent from last year, the group said.