Market indicators are updated monthly. They 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: 2013 ends at 6.4% unemployment
Unemployment rate
Includes non-seasonally adjusted figures in Whatcom County
December 2013: 6.4 percent
December 2012: 7.1 percent
Source: Washington State Employment Security Department
Jobless benefit claims
Includes continued unemployment benefit claims in Whatcom County
December 2013: 2,532
December 2012: 1,881
Source: Washington State Employment Security Department
Bankruptcies
Includes Chapters 7, 11, 13 in Whatcom County
January 2014: 26
Year-to-date: 26
Annual change: 21.21 percent decrease
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
Spending: Loonie down to 91 cents
Sales-tax distribution
Includes basic and optional local sales tax to Bellingham
January 2014: $1.59 million
Year-to-date: $1.59 million
Annual change: Negligible
Source: Washington State Department of Revenue
Motor vehicle registrations
Includes original registrations in Whatcom County
January 2014: 1,042
January 2013: 924
Source: Washington State Department of Licensing
Canadian dollar
Includes monthly averages (Canadian-to-U.S.) at market closing
January 2014: $0.91
January 2013: $1.01
Source: Bank of Canada
Housing: Late-mortgage rate dropping
Average home sale price
Includes single-family homes and condos in Whatcom County
January 2014: $283,370
January 2013: $267,120
Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service
Median home sale price
Includes single-family homes and condos in Whatcom County
January 2014: $251,750
January 2013: $235,000
Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service
Closed residential sales
Includes single-family homes and condos in Whatcom County
January 2014: 148
Year-to-date: 148
Annual change: 4.23 percent increase
Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service
Pending residential sales
Includes single-family homes and condos in Whatcom County
January 2014: 239
Year-to-date: 239
Annual change: None
Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service
Foreclosure rate
Includes foreclosures in Whatcom County
December 2013: 1.15 percent
December 2012: 1.58 percent
Source: CoreLogic
Mortgage delinquency rate
Includes delinquencies in Whatcom County
December 2013: 3.07 percent
December 2012: 4.17percent
Source: CoreLogic
Other factors: County permits higher
Airport traffic
Includes total enplanements at Bellingham International Airport
December 2013: 46,486
Year-to-date: 595,074
Annual change: 4.29 precent increase
Source: Port of Bellingham
Cruise terminal traffic
Includes inbound/outbound passengers at Bellingham Cruise Terminal
January 2014: 1,422
Year-to-date: 1,422
Annual change: 7.81 percent increase
Source: Port of Bellingham
Bellingham building permit values
Includes total building-permit valuation in Bellingham
January 2014: $8.38 million
Year-to-date: $8.38 million
Annual change: 52.92 percent decrease
Source: City of Bellingham
Whatcom County building permit values
Includes total building-permit valuation in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County
December 2013: $5.33 million
Year-to-date: $110.1 million
Annual change: 13.16 percent increase
Source: Whatcom County Planning & Development Services
Evan Marczynski, associate editor of The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or evan@bbjtoday.com.
