Seattle/Tacoma Washington Unemployment Rate & Housing Market

The front page article, "U.S. Suffers Biggest Jobs Drop In 5 Years as Downturn Spreadsweek", http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120731199473089651.html, says that the national job market has lost between 75,000 and 80,000 jobs a month for the last three months. Jobs are critical to the economy anywhere in the country. I have retrieved the Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton job statistics for the past 5 years. As you can see, the job market is very strong in our area! The labor force and employment is continually increasing. Unemployment continues to decline. Although we are not isolated from what is happening on a national basis, the economy here has a very sound foundation. Because of the strength of the economy, it is very unlikely that the real estate market here will flounder to the depths that it has in other areas of the county. Due to the inventory of houses on the market and the low interest rate, it is an ideal time for people who want to purchase a home, whether it is a first time home buyer, an investment property or a vacation home.

Marc



All statistical information from the U. S. Department of Labor

















Seasonally Adjusted