Featured
Carbon Footprints: Who’s Got the Big Feet?
Here in the Seattle area we like to think of ourselves as eco-conscious. Just how true is that? What is the carbon footprint of Seattle, and how does it compare to other places that we might think of as less enlightened?
latest features
Apartment Rents Dropping in Seattle
Median rents are falling for apartments inside the city of Seattle. And it’s not a new phenomenon growing out of fears of dense places and riding in elevators. The trend was underway before the pandemic hit, and shows up in other high priced markets.
Personal Income Still Higher Than Pre-Pandemic
Why the disconnect between GDP (falling) and personal income (rising)? Simple. Households are not spending all the personal income they receive. GDP is based on transactions, and there are fewer of them taking place, as consumers sit on their wallets
Continue Reading Personal Income Still Higher Than Pre-Pandemic
Homebuilders Getting Optimistic
The homebuilding industry could be forgiven for taking a breather as the uncertainties of coronavirus play out. Instead, builders seem to be getting back in the game.
The Retail Rebound: Shovels Are In, Shirts Are Out
Almost as much money was spent in the first half of 2020 as in the first half of 2019. But it all depends on what you are trying to sell.
Continue Reading The Retail Rebound: Shovels Are In, Shirts Are Out
What a Closed Border Looks Like
The U.S.-Canada border will likely remain closed at least through the summer and perhaps well beyond. Over 80 percent of Canadians approve of the border closing, so it seem unlikely that restrictions will ease any time soon.
So far, It’s a Nike Swoosh Recovery
Prognosticators have presented us with images of what a recovery might look like. The optimistic “V.” The pessimistic “L.” The meh “U” The dreaded double-dip “W.” As some data begins to come into focus, we can make the argument for the more colorful Nike Swoosh recovery.
They Probably Won’t Get The Guy Who Stole Your Stuff
In King County, arrests are made in fewer than 10 percent of property crimes. And as for the stuff itself? If it was a car, you have about a 50-50 chance of getting it back. If it was something else. . . pretty low odds you will see it again.
Continue Reading They Probably Won’t Get The Guy Who Stole Your Stuff
short takes
In the Firehouse
There is a big difference across the country in the level of spending and personnel associated with fire protection and emergency services.
The Sagging Swoosh
Here we sit within striking distance of the old normal, but not quite able to get there.
Police Officers on the Beat
Seattle is well below the average for officer coverage among large cities, and has a officer/resident ratio just slightly above the average for all cities with over 100,000 population.
Metro Seattle Unemployment Better Than Most
The Seattle metro area, with a June unemployment rate just below 10 percent, is doing better than most other large metro areas.
Continue Reading Metro Seattle Unemployment Better Than Most
Below Average Police Spending in Seattle
Current levels of policing are not uniform among large cities, with wide variation in per capita police spending. Seattle’s level of police spending is low for a large city.
State Unemployment Rates All Over The Map
The monthly survey of state employment and unemployment for June shows very different conditions around the country.
The West Coast Starts Its Engines
All three Northwest cities now showing more driving direction requests than in March.
Joining the One-Percent Club
Nationally, the cutoff for the top one percent of adjusted gross income was $516,714. At $562,000, Washington ranks seventh.
recent features
Moving To Ellensburg (and Places Like It)
The story of growth in Kittitas County is part of a larger pattern that first emerged in the early 2000s and has reappeared: migration into parts of the state that are between one and two hours from Seattle, and that make attractive retirement and or telecommuting destinations.
Population Estimates Part II: Last Glance at Normal
The machinery of speculation is now in high gear, trying to divine what the demographic landscape will look like in the post-COVID world. But for now, we get one last look at normal.
Continue Reading Population Estimates Part II: Last Glance at Normal
New State Population Estimates: Strong, Even and Steady Growth
Although regional growth has slowed a bit, it is still three times the national growth rate. Moreover, growth has been well distributed around the entire state. Only Garfield County grew more slowly than the national average.
Continue Reading New State Population Estimates: Strong, Even and Steady Growth