Current Metro Area Research

The unemployment rate here is (unadjusted, as of ). This is than the national rate. The top employment sectors in this area are: The recent historical unemployment rate is shown in the below chart; look for a stable or downward trend in the unemployment rate and for the metro area to have lower unemployment than the country.

people live here (estimated, as of ). All these people live within zip codes and counties. The average two-bedroom "fair market" apartment rent is . Meanwhile, housing prices are than they were five years ago. For each of the previous twelve months, an average of new home construction permits and new apartment construction permits were approved. The population count for the last several years is shown in the below chart; an upward trend indicates a growing metro area. The "fair market" rent of various apartment sizes for the last five years is shown in the below chart; look for upward or stable growth in rents as this indicates strong apartment demand. The annual change in average housing prices for the last five years is shown in the below chart; an upward trend indicates strong demand for housing. Recent monthly new home construction permits are shown in the below chart; an upward trend indicates a confident housing sector.