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Monthly Economic Indicators

This monthly report provides a snapshot of metro area economic activity in labor and employment, the consumer sector, and residential and commercial real estate.

June 2014 pdf Download Full Report PDF Download Snapshot

Monthly Economic Indicators

The unemployment rate throughout the seven counties in the Metro Denver area reported significant changes through the month April. The Metro Denver unemployment rate fell one percentage point between March and April to 5.3 percent and was 1.1 percentage points lower than the previous year.

Each stock market index recorded higher closing values over-the-month and over-the-year, showing positive investment in the economy. The NASDAQ reported a 3.1 percent increase between April and May, while the Bloomberg Colorado index reported a 3.4 percent increase during the same period. 

Metro Denver home sales continued to increase, rising 15.6 percent between March and April to 4,302 homes sold. The area reported the highest number of sales since September, showing the market is improving.

Economic Indicators June 2014 2014 YTD

Nonfarm Employment Growth

+14,700 Increase

Employment increased 1% from Mar. to Apr.

+41,300 Increase

YTD employment up 2.9% through Apr.

% Companies Hiring (Denver Area)

20 % Increase

Companies expecting to add workers increased from 1Q 2014 to 2Q 2014

19 % Decrease

YTD average down 3 percentage points compared with 2013

Unemployment Rate

5.3 % Decrease

Unemployment fell 1 percentage point from Mar. to Apr.

6.0 % Decrease

Down from 2013 YTD avg of 7%

Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims

6.1 % Increase

Claims increased from Mar. to Apr.

-11.4 % Decrease

YTD average claims decreased 11.4% through Apr. 2014

Total Retail Sales

-0.6 % Decrease

Metro sales decreased from Jan. to Feb.

2.3 % Increase

YTD sales up through Feb. 2014

Consumer Confidence Index

92.7 Increase

Index up 1.8% from Apr. to May

87.8 Increase

YTD average up 33.4% through May 2014

Hotel Occupancy

74.3 % Decrease

Decreased 1.7 percentage points from Mar. to Apr.

71.0 % Increase

YTD occupancy up 12.3%

DIA Passengers

-8.4 % Decrease

Passengers decreased from Mar. to Apr.

2.1 % Increase

YTD passengers increased through Apr. 2014

Bloomberg Colorado Index

618.23 Increase

Index up 3.4% from Apr. to May

-1.3 % Increase

YTD Return through May 2014

Dow Jones / Industrial Average

16,717.2 Increase

Index increased 0.8% from Apr. to May

-0.8 % Increase

YTD Return through May 2014

Home Sales (Closed)

4,302 Increase

Sales up 15.6% from Mar. to Apr.

13,518 Decrease

YTD sales down 7.6% through Apr. 2014

Median Home Price (Denver-Aurora MSA)

$288,400 Increase

Down 2.6% from 3Q to 4Q 2013Up 3.3% from 4Q to 1Q 2014

$288,400 Increase

YTD price 10.4% higher through 1Q 2014

Foreclosures

543 Increase

Up 1.3% from Feb. to Mar.

1,611 Decrease

Down 29.8% YTD through Mar. 2014

Residential Building Permits (Total)

1,715 Decrease

Permits decreased 9.8% from Feb. to Mar.

4,543 Increase

YTD permits up 63.8% through Mar. 2014

Apartment Vacancy Rate

5.1 % Decrease

Vacancy decreased 0.1 percentage points from 4Q to 1Q 2014

5.1 % Increase

YTD average up 0.5 percentage points through 1Q 2014

Office Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

11.2 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.2 percentage points from 4Q 2013 to 1Q 2014

-0.9 percentage points Decrease

1Q 2014 vacancy rate down from 12.1% one year ago

Industrial Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

3.8 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.4 percentage points from 4Q 2013 to 1Q 2014

-2 percentage points Decrease

1Q 2014 vacancy rate down from 5.8% one year ago

Retail Space Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

6.0 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.4 percentage points from 4Q 2013 to 1Q 2014

-0.7 percentage points Decrease

1Q 2014 vacancy rate down from 6.7% one year ago
Economic Indicators June 2014 2014 YTD