The latest data from the Census Bureau show single-family permits up 25% in the three-county Seattle metro area through March, compared to the same period last year. Pierce County saw the biggest rise in single-family permit activity among the three counties, up 61% year-over-year in the first quarter. Multifamily permits more than doubled in the region, led by big upticks in Pierce and King counties. However, Snohomish County experienced a drop in multifamily permit activity in the first quarter.

New data from the Employment Security Department show continued modest improvement in the jobs picture for our state and region. The unemployment rate for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett fell from 5.5 in February to 5.4 in March. Meanwhile, construction employment in Washington increased by 1,400 between February and March.

The median price of single-family homes and condos rose to $679,075 in King County and $576,050 in Snohomish County in February, data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service show. Home prices are rising amid continued strong demand and low supply of homes for sale. King County had less than a months’ supply of homes for sale in February, while Snohomish County had less than two weeks’ supply.