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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.

September 2015 pdf Download Full Report PDF Download Snapshot

Monthly Economic Indicators

The unemployment rate throughout the Metro Denver area improved significantly in July, decreasing 0.4 percentage points to 3.8 percent compared with June. The Metro Denver unemployment rate was also 0.9 percentage points below the July 2014 level of 4.7 percent.

The Consumer Confidence Index for Colorado, which is included in the Mountain Region Index, continued to report increases in consumer confidence. The index rose to 125.2 in August from the July revised level of 114.4, increasing 9.4 percent over-the-month and was also up 42.1 percent over-the-year.

Median home prices throughout the Metro Denver area increased between the first and second quarters of 2015. The Boulder MSA reported a 4.9 percent increase ($463,700) in home prices over-the-quarter and the Denver-Aurora MSA recorded a 7.3 percent increase in prices over-the-quarter to $362,900. 

Economic Indicators September 2015 2015 YTD

Nonfarm Employment Growth

-7,200 Decrease

Employment down 0.5% from June to July

+48,100 Increase

YTD employment up 3.2% through July

% Companies Hiring (Denver Area)

26 % Increase

Companies expecting to add workers increased from 2Q 2015 to 3Q 2015

23 % Increase

YTD average up 2 percentage points compared with 2014

Unemployment Rate

3.8 % Decrease

Unemployment down 0.4 percentage points from June to July

4.2 % Decrease

Down from 2014 YTD average of 5.3%

Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims

0.5 % Increase

Claims increased from June to July

-9.1 % Decrease

YTD average claims decreased through July 2015

Total Retail Sales

-15.5 % Decrease

Metro sales decreased from March to April

3.1 % Increase

YTD sales up through April 2015

Consumer Confidence Index

125.2 Increase

Index up 9.4% from July to Aug.

111 Increase

YTD average up 42.1% through August 2015

Hotel Occupancy

89.1 % Increase

Increased 0.3 percentage points from June to July

77.4 % Increase

YTD occupancy up 0.8 percentage points from last year

DIA Passengers

6 % Increase

Passengers increased from May to June

-0.6 % Decrease

YTD passengers decreased through June 2015

Bloomberg Colorado Index

572.7 Decrease

Index down 5.6% from July to Aug.

-4.7 % Decrease

YTD return through Aug. 2015

Dow Jones / Industrial Average

16,528 Decrease

Index down 6.6% from July to Aug.

-7.3 % Decrease

YTD return through Aug. 2015

Home Sales (Closed)

5,844 Decrease

Sales down 2% from June to July

31,337 Increase

YTD sales up 3.1% through July 2015

Median Home Price (Denver-Aurora MSA)

$362,900 Increase

Up 7.3% from 1Q 2015 to 2Q 2015

$350,500 Increase

YTD price 15.9% higher through 2Q 2015

Foreclosures

340 Decrease

Down 1.7% from June to July

2,190 Decrease

Down 36.4% YTD through July 2015

Residential Building Permits (Total)

1,287 Decrease

Permits decreased 18.4% from June to July

10,169 Increase

YTD permits up 1.2% through July 2015

Apartment Vacancy Rate

4.5 % Decrease

Vacancy decreased 0.4 percentage points from 1Q 2015 to 2Q 2015

4.7 % Decrease

YTD average down 0.2 percentage points from last year

Office Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

10.4 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.2 percentage points from 1Q 2015 to 2Q 2015

-0.9 percentage point Decrease

2Q 2015 vacancy rate down from 11.3% one year ago

Industrial Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

3.2 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.1 percentage points from 1Q 2015 to 2Q 2015

-0.8 percentage points Decrease

2Q 2015 vacancy rate down from 4% one year ago

Retail Space Vacancy Rate (with Sublet)

5.2 % Decrease

Vacancy rate down 0.2 percentage points from 1Q 2015 to 2Q 2015

-0.6 percentage points Decrease

2Q 2015 vacancy rate down from 5.8% one year ago
Economic Indicators September 2015 2015 YTD