County economic indicators: unemployment steady, home sales and permits up

Summary

A county staff presenter summarized the County Economic Research Institute's October indicators: August unemployment was 4.0% (year-over-year 3.8%), single-family home sales through August rose year to date, single-family building permits increased about 5.9% and retail sales were up 3.4% as of July.

A county staff member presented the County Economic Research Institute's October indicators to the Board of County Commissioners and summarized year-to-date measures through August (and through July for retail sales).

The presenter reported the August 2025 unemployment rate at 4.0 percent, compared with 3.8 percent in the previous year. Single-family home sales through August were reported as 6,194 (the transcript gives the prior-year figure unclearly; the presenter described this as a year-over-year increase). Single-family building permits increased roughly 5.9 percent year to date, and retail sales were up about 3.4 percent as of July (retail data lagged by a month in the presenter’s notes).

The presenter characterized most measures as year-to-date comparisons and moved on to the next agenda item after summarizing the economic indicators. No board action or vote was recorded on the indicators during the meeting; the item was informational.