Washington's unemployment rate fell to 4.8%, even as the state's employment dropped 15,400 jobs in September, according to the state Office of Financial Management's monthly economic report. Employment remained 9,200 jobs above the same month last year, the Employment Security Department said.
Personal income growth in the state continued to lag the nation. Washington personal income rose 3.4% at an annualized rate in the second quarter, compared with 4.7% nationally, ranking Washington 36th among states, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said.
Housing activity softened. Building permits averaged 34,900 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in July and August, down from 49,800 in the second quarter. Seattle-area home prices were 1.6% below their year-earlier level, according to the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.
Vehicle sales remained weak year-over-year, even as they improved in September. New vehicle registrations increased 3.3% to an annualized 231,700 units in September but remained 13.3% below September 2025 levels, the Department of Licensing said.