Market indicators include the most recently available data. Statistics are also available in print editions of The Bellingham Business Journal.

Annual changes, where applicable, compare the cumulative year-to-date totals with numbers from the same time period during the previous year. Data include raw numbers only and are not adjusted to account for any seasonal factors.

Jobs: Bankruptcies down, unemployment rate up

Unemployment rate

Includes non-seasonally adjusted figures in Whatcom County

November 2014: 6.3 percent (November 2013: 6.0 percent)

Source: Washington State Employment Security Department

Labor force participation rate

Includes non-seasonally adjusted figures in Washington state

December 2014: 63.6 percent (December 2013: 62.9 percent)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bankruptcies

Includes Chapters 7, 11, 13 in Whatcom County

December 2014: 29

Year-to-date: 960 (Annual change: 44.18 percent decrease)

Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington  

Spending: Canadian dollar keeps dropping

Canadian Dollar

Includes monthly averages (Canadian-to-U.S.) at market closing

December 2014: $0.86 (December 2014: $0.94)

Source: Bank of Canada

Sales-tax distribution

Includes basic and optional local sales tax to Bellingham

Year-to-date: $20.06 million (Annual change: 2.60 percent decrease)

Source: Washington State Department of Revenue

Building-permit values

Includes total building-permit valuation in Bellingham

2014 total: $180.66 million (2013 total: $140.68 million)

Source: City of Bellingham