The latest official figures

Construction spending by type

Here is where construction money is going, by type of project, from the Census Bureau's monthly survey. Residential construction spending was $894.6 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $885.0 billion in July 2026.

Construction spending on manufacturing plants was $170.7 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $170.3 billion in July 2026.

Construction spending on power projects was $186.0 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $184.4 billion in July 2026.

Power construction covers electric generation, transmission and distribution projects. Public construction spending was $547.8 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $546.8 billion in July 2026. It is what federal, state and local governments spend on building, from roads and schools to water systems.

The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Industry and power

Here is what the official figures say about industry and power. Industrial production was up 2.2 percent from a year earlier in September 2026, by the Federal Reserve's industrial production index.

It measures the output of the nation's factories, mines and utilities. Construction spending on manufacturing plants was $170.7 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $170.3 billion in July 2026.

Construction spending on power projects was $186.0 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from $184.4 billion in July 2026.

Power construction covers electric generation, transmission and distribution projects. The average U.S. price of electricity was 19.6 cents per kilowatt-hour in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is unchanged from August 2026. It is an average across U.S. cities. The rate at any one site depends on its own utility.

The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Main street in four figures

Here is main street in four official figures. U.S. retail and food service sales were $745.0 billion in September 2026, according to the Census Bureau's advance estimate. That is up from $739.3 billion in August 2026. It is the first, seasonally adjusted estimate of spending at stores and restaurants, and it is revised later.

Total U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs were 159.0 million in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is unchanged from August 2026.

It counts jobs at businesses and in government, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly survey of employers. Consumer prices were up 3.7 percent from a year earlier in September 2026, by the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The bank prime loan rate was 6.87 percent in September 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. That is up from 6.75 percent in August 2026.

Many small-business loans and lines of credit are priced as the prime rate plus a margin. The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The economy in four figures

Here is the economy in four official figures. Total U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs were 159.0 million in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is unchanged from August 2026.

It counts jobs at businesses and in government, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly survey of employers. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is up from 4.1 percent in August 2026.

Consumer prices were up 3.7 percent from a year earlier in September 2026, by the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industrial production was up 2.2 percent from a year earlier in September 2026, by the Federal Reserve's industrial production index.

It measures the output of the nation's factories, mines and utilities. The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The housing market

Here is the housing market in four official figures. Sales of new single-family homes were 684 thousand at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is up from 643 thousand in July 2026.

The median sales price of houses sold in the U.S. was $410,700 in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Census Bureau and HUD. That is up from $408,500 in the first quarter of 2026.

U.S. housing starts were 1.22 million homes at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in September 2026, according to the Census Bureau. That is down from 1.29 million homes in August 2026.

A housing start is counted when excavation begins for a new home's foundation. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.32 percent in the week of October 22, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. That is down from 7.40 percent in the week of October 15. It is a national average. The rate any one borrower is offered depends on the loan and the borrower.

The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The interest-rates board

Here is the interest-rates board: the rates that set what borrowing costs, from their official sources. The bank prime loan rate was 6.87 percent in September 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. A year earlier it was 7.38 percent.

The upper end of the federal funds target range was 4.00 percent on October 23, according to the Federal Reserve. A year earlier it was 4.25 percent.

The Secured Overnight Financing Rate was 3.90 percent on October 22, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. A year earlier it was 4.24 percent.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.32 percent in the week of October 22, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. A year earlier it was 6.19 percent.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.68 percent in the week of October 22, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. A year earlier it was 5.44 percent.

The 10-year Treasury yield was 5.13 percent on October 21, according to the Federal Reserve. A year earlier it was 3.97 percent.

In its latest Summary of Economic Projections, the Federal Reserve's median projection for the federal funds rate is 4.1 percent at the end of 2026, 4.1 percent at the end of 2027 and 3.9 percent at the end of 2028. Each rate is shown with the date it is for, and the figures come from FRED.

The latest official figures

Here are the latest official figures for main street businesses. The unemployment rate in Arkansas was 3.9 percent in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is unchanged from August 2026.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.32 percent in the week of October 22, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. That is down from 7.40 percent in the week of October 15. It is a national average. The rate any one borrower is offered depends on the loan and the borrower.

New U.S. business applications were 534,947 in September 2026, according to the Census Bureau's Business Formation Statistics. That is up from 532,051 in August 2026.

It counts applications for a new employer identification number, a first step in starting a business. The figures come from FRED, the data service of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Lowest unemployment, by state

Here are the states with the lowest unemployment rates in September 2026, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. First was South Dakota, 2.0 percent. Next came North Dakota, 2.2 percent, New Hampshire, 2.6 percent, Vermont, 2.6 percent, and Hawaii, 2.8 percent. At the other end were the District of Columbia, 5.6 percent, California, 5.1 percent, and Connecticut, 5.1 percent.

The ranking is worked out from the published figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Where construction jobs grew

Here are the states where construction jobs grew fastest over the year to September 2026, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. First was Louisiana, up 13.9 percent. Next came Wyoming, up 8.4 percent, Illinois, up 6.0 percent, Kansas, up 5.8 percent, and Ohio, up 5.8 percent. At the other end were Alaska, down 5.3 percent, West Virginia, down 4.0 percent, and New Hampshire, down 2.2 percent.

The ranking is worked out from the published figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Where jobs grew fastest

Here are the states where jobs grew fastest over the year to September 2026, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. First was South Carolina, up 2.3 percent. Next came Louisiana, up 1.8 percent, Nevada, up 1.6 percent, Utah, up 1.5 percent, and North Carolina, up 1.3 percent. At the other end were the District of Columbia, down 3.5 percent, Montana, down 1.0 percent, and Virginia, down 0.6 percent.

The ranking is worked out from the published figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Building permits, two years

Here is building permits for new homes over the past two years. The latest figure, for September 2026, is 1.40 million, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was 1.42 million. The high point in that time was 1.54 million, in February 2026. The low point was 1.35 million, in August 2025.

Permits usually come before starts, which is why they are watched as an early sign of what will be built.

Construction spending, two years

Here is total U.S. construction spending over the past two years. The latest figure, for August 2026, is $2.20 trillion, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in August 2024, it was $2.25 trillion. The high point in that time was $2.27 trillion, in February 2025. The low point was $2.17 trillion, in April 2026.

It counts residential, nonresidential and public construction together.

Factory construction, two years

Here is construction spending on manufacturing plants over the past two years. The latest figure, for August 2026, is $170.7 billion, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in August 2024, it was $249.8 billion. The high point in that time was $250.2 billion, in September 2024. The low point was $170.3 billion, in July 2026.

House prices, two years

Here is the median sales price of U.S. houses over the past two years. The latest figure, for the second quarter of 2026, is $410,700, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.

At the start of this period, in the second quarter of 2024, it was $414,500. The high point in that time was $423,100, in the first quarter of 2025. The low point was $408,500, in the first quarter of 2026.

Housing starts, two years

Here is housing starts over the past two years. The latest figure, for September 2026, is 1.22 million homes, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was 1.36 million homes. The high point in that time was 1.52 million homes, in March 2026. The low point was 1.18 million homes, in May 2026.

A housing start is counted when excavation begins for a new home's foundation.

Jobs, two years

Here are two years of U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs. The latest figure, for September 2026, is 159.0 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was 157.9 million. The latest figure is the highest in that time. That starting figure was the lowest in that time.

It counts jobs at businesses and in government, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly survey of employers.

Mortgage rates, two years

Here is the 30-year mortgage rate over the past two years. The latest figure, for the week of October 22, 2026, is 7.32 percent, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey.

At the start of this period, in the week of October 17, 2024, it was 6.44 percent. The high point in that time was 7.40 percent, in the week of October 8, 2026. The low point was 5.98 percent, in the week of February 26, 2026. It is a national average. The rate any one borrower is offered depends on the loan and the borrower.

New-home sales, two years

Here is sales of new single-family homes over the past two years. The latest figure, for August 2026, is 684 thousand, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in August 2024, it was 687 thousand. The high point in that time was 757 thousand, in November 2025. The low point was 576 thousand, in January 2026.

Power construction, two years

Here is construction spending on power projects over the past two years. The latest figure, for August 2026, is $186.0 billion, according to the Census Bureau.

At the start of this period, in August 2024, it was $167.5 billion. The latest figure is the highest in that time. That starting figure was the lowest in that time.

Power construction covers electric generation, transmission and distribution projects.

Retail sales, two years

Here are two years of U.S. retail and food service sales. The latest figure, for September 2026, is $745.0 billion, according to the Census Bureau's advance estimate.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was $676.0 billion. The latest figure is the highest in that time. That starting figure was the lowest in that time. It is the first, seasonally adjusted estimate of spending at stores and restaurants, and it is revised later.

The prime rate, two years

Here is the bank prime loan rate over the past two years. The latest figure, for September 2026, is 6.87 percent, according to the Federal Reserve.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was 8.30 percent. That starting figure was the highest in that time. The low point was 6.75 percent, in January 2026.

Many small-business loans and lines of credit are priced as the prime rate plus a margin.

Unemployment, two years

Here is the U.S. unemployment rate over the past two years. The latest figure, for September 2026, is 4.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the start of this period, in September 2024, it was 4.1 percent. The high point in that time was 4.5 percent, in November 2025. The low point was 4.0 percent, in January 2025.

Home building, state by state

Here is home building across the whole country, from the Census Bureau. Building permits for new U.S. homes were 1.40 million at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in September 2026, according to the Census Bureau. A year earlier it was 1.44 million.

U.S. housing starts were 1.22 million homes at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in September 2026, according to the Census Bureau. A year earlier it was 1.32 million homes.

Among the states, the most homes were authorized in Texas, at 14,348, and the fewest in Alaska, at 56. Through the day, each region gets its own look: the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West.

Home prices, state by state

Here is how home prices are moving across the country. The median sales price of houses sold in the U.S. was $410,700 in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.

Through the day, each region gets its own look: the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West.

Jobs, state by state

Here are jobs across the whole country, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs were 159.0 million in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year earlier it was 158.5 million.

Among the states, the most jobs were in California, at 18.15 million, and the fewest in Wyoming, at 0.30 million. Through the day, each region gets its own look: the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West.

Midwest: building permits

Here are building permits for new homes in the Midwest, state by state. These are the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted counts of homes authorized in one month. Building permits for new homes in Illinois were 1,871 in August 2026.

Indiana: 2,265 in August 2026. Iowa: 1,013 in August 2026.

Kansas: 838 in August 2026. Michigan: 1,626 in August 2026.

Minnesota: 1,672 in August 2026. Missouri: 1,693 in August 2026.

Nebraska: 843 in August 2026. North Dakota: 171 in August 2026.

Ohio: 2,526 in August 2026. South Dakota: 474 in August 2026.

Wisconsin: 2,244 in August 2026. In the Midwest, the lowest was North Dakota, at 171, and the highest was Ohio, at 2,526.

Midwest: home prices

Here is how home prices changed over the past year in the Midwest, state by state, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's house price index. Illinois: no figure from a year earlier.

Indiana: no figure from a year earlier. Iowa: no figure from a year earlier.

Kansas: no figure from a year earlier. Michigan: no figure from a year earlier.

Minnesota: no figure from a year earlier. Missouri: no figure from a year earlier.

Nebraska: no figure from a year earlier. North Dakota: no figure from a year earlier.

Ohio: no figure from a year earlier. South Dakota: no figure from a year earlier.

Wisconsin: no figure from a year earlier.

Midwest: jobs

Here are nonfarm payroll jobs in the Midwest, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm jobs in Illinois were 6.16 million in September 2026, up from 6.15 million a year earlier.

Indiana: 3.26 million in September 2026, down from 3.27 million a year earlier. Iowa: 1.59 million in September 2026, up from 1.58 million a year earlier.

Kansas: 1.47 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Michigan: 4.49 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Minnesota: 3.06 million in September 2026, up from 3.03 million a year earlier. Missouri: 3.01 million in September 2026, up from 2.98 million a year earlier.

Nebraska: 1.06 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. North Dakota: 0.45 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Ohio: 5.69 million in September 2026, up from 5.67 million a year earlier. South Dakota: 0.47 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Wisconsin: 3.04 million in September 2026, up from 3.03 million a year earlier. Added together, these states had 33.75 million jobs in September 2026, 0.3 percent more than a year earlier.

Midwest: unemployment

Here is the unemployment rate in the Midwest, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Illinois was 4.6 percent in September 2026, up from 4.5 percent a year earlier.

Indiana: 3.4 percent in September 2026, down from 3.7 percent a year earlier. Iowa: 3.2 percent in September 2026, down from 3.4 percent a year earlier.

Kansas: 3.8 percent in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Michigan: 5.0 percent in September 2026, up from 4.9 percent a year earlier.

Minnesota: 4.5 percent in September 2026, up from 4.1 percent a year earlier. Missouri: 3.6 percent in September 2026, down from 3.9 percent a year earlier.

Nebraska: 2.9 percent in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. North Dakota: 2.2 percent in September 2026, down from 2.6 percent a year earlier.

Ohio: 3.4 percent in September 2026, down from 4.3 percent a year earlier. South Dakota: 2.0 percent in September 2026, down from 2.1 percent a year earlier.

Wisconsin: 3.2 percent in September 2026, up from 3.1 percent a year earlier. In the Midwest, the lowest was South Dakota, at 2.0 percent, and the highest was Michigan, at 5.0 percent.

Northeast: building permits

Here are building permits for new homes in the Northeast, state by state. These are the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted counts of homes authorized in one month. Building permits for new homes in Connecticut were 301 in August 2026.

Maine: 480 in August 2026. Massachusetts: 1,250 in August 2026.

New Hampshire: 308 in August 2026. Rhode Island: 166 in August 2026.

Vermont: 123 in August 2026. New Jersey: 2,167 in August 2026.

New York: 3,641 in August 2026. Pennsylvania: 2,323 in August 2026.

Delaware: 570 in August 2026. Maryland: 1,022 in August 2026.

The District of Columbia: 202 in August 2026. In the Northeast, the lowest was Vermont, at 123, and the highest was New York, at 3,641.

Northeast: home prices

Here is how home prices changed over the past year in the Northeast, state by state, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's house price index. Connecticut: no figure from a year earlier.

Maine: no figure from a year earlier. Massachusetts: no figure from a year earlier.

New Hampshire: no figure from a year earlier. Rhode Island: no figure from a year earlier.

Vermont: no figure from a year earlier. New Jersey: no figure from a year earlier.

New York: no figure from a year earlier. Pennsylvania: no figure from a year earlier.

Delaware: no figure from a year earlier. Maryland: no figure from a year earlier.

The District of Columbia: no figure from a year earlier.

Northeast: jobs

Here are nonfarm payroll jobs in the Northeast, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm jobs in Connecticut were 1.73 million in September 2026, up from 1.72 million a year earlier.

Maine: 0.66 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Massachusetts: 3.71 million in September 2026, up from 3.69 million a year earlier.

New Hampshire: 0.70 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Rhode Island: 0.51 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Vermont: 0.31 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. New Jersey: 4.38 million in September 2026, up from 4.37 million a year earlier.

New York: 9.97 million in September 2026, up from 9.95 million a year earlier. Pennsylvania: 6.21 million in September 2026, up from 6.17 million a year earlier.

Delaware: 0.50 million in September 2026, up from 0.49 million a year earlier. Maryland: 2.79 million in September 2026, down from 2.81 million a year earlier.

The District of Columbia: 0.72 million in September 2026, down from 0.75 million a year earlier. Added together, these states had 32.20 million jobs in September 2026, 0.2 percent more than a year earlier.

Northeast: unemployment

Here is the unemployment rate in the Northeast, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Connecticut was 5.1 percent in September 2026, up from 4.2 percent a year earlier.

Maine: 3.3 percent in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Massachusetts: 4.3 percent in September 2026, down from 4.6 percent a year earlier.

New Hampshire: 2.6 percent in September 2026, down from 3.2 percent a year earlier. Rhode Island: 3.6 percent in September 2026, down from 4.3 percent a year earlier.

Vermont: 2.6 percent in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. New Jersey: 4.2 percent in September 2026, down from 5.5 percent a year earlier.

New York: 4.3 percent in September 2026, down from 4.6 percent a year earlier. Pennsylvania: 3.6 percent in September 2026, down from 4.4 percent a year earlier.

Delaware: 4.6 percent in September 2026, down from 5.2 percent a year earlier. Maryland: 3.9 percent in September 2026, down from 4.3 percent a year earlier.

The District of Columbia: 5.6 percent in September 2026, down from 6.6 percent a year earlier. In the Northeast, the lowest was New Hampshire, at 2.6 percent, and the highest was the District of Columbia, at 5.6 percent.

Southeast: building permits

Here are building permits for new homes in the Southeast, state by state. These are the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted counts of homes authorized in one month. Building permits for new homes in Alabama were 1,698 in August 2026.

Arkansas: 884 in August 2026. Florida: 13,211 in August 2026.

Georgia: 4,837 in August 2026. Kentucky: 1,122 in August 2026.

Louisiana: 1,099 in August 2026. Mississippi: 677 in August 2026.

North Carolina: 7,675 in August 2026. South Carolina: 3,776 in August 2026.

Tennessee: 3,066 in August 2026. Virginia: 3,896 in August 2026.

West Virginia: 267 in August 2026. In the Southeast, the lowest was West Virginia, at 267, and the highest was Florida, at 13,211.

Southeast: construction jobs

Here are construction jobs in the Southeast, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Construction jobs in Alabama were 113.1 thousand in September 2026, up from 110.3 thousand a year earlier.

Arkansas: 67.3 thousand in September 2026, up from 66.1 thousand a year earlier. Florida: 657.0 thousand in September 2026, up from 653.7 thousand a year earlier.

Georgia: 231.8 thousand in September 2026, down from 236.7 thousand a year earlier. Kentucky: 92.8 thousand in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Louisiana: 154.2 thousand in September 2026, up from 135.4 thousand a year earlier. Mississippi: 55.4 thousand in September 2026, up from 53.7 thousand a year earlier.

North Carolina: 295.8 thousand in September 2026, up from 279.9 thousand a year earlier. South Carolina: 130.2 thousand in September 2026, up from 124.7 thousand a year earlier.

Virginia: 228.5 thousand in September 2026, down from 231.7 thousand a year earlier. West Virginia: 34.0 thousand in September 2026, down from 35.4 thousand a year earlier.

In the Southeast, the lowest was West Virginia, at 34.0 thousand, and the highest was Florida, at 657.0 thousand.

Southeast: home prices

Here is how home prices changed over the past year in the Southeast, state by state, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's house price index. Alabama: no figure from a year earlier.

Arkansas: no figure from a year earlier. Florida: no figure from a year earlier.

Georgia: no figure from a year earlier. Kentucky: no figure from a year earlier.

Louisiana: no figure from a year earlier. Mississippi: no figure from a year earlier.

North Carolina: no figure from a year earlier. South Carolina: no figure from a year earlier.

Tennessee: no figure from a year earlier. Virginia: no figure from a year earlier.

West Virginia: no figure from a year earlier.

Southeast: jobs

Here are nonfarm payroll jobs in the Southeast, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm jobs in Alabama were 2.22 million in September 2026, up from 2.20 million a year earlier.

Arkansas: 1.35 million in September 2026, up from 1.34 million a year earlier. Florida: 10.05 million in September 2026, up from 9.99 million a year earlier.

Georgia: 4.98 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Kentucky: 2.03 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Louisiana: 2.02 million in September 2026, up from 1.99 million a year earlier. Mississippi: 1.20 million in September 2026, up from 1.19 million a year earlier.

North Carolina: 5.13 million in September 2026, up from 5.06 million a year earlier. South Carolina: 2.44 million in September 2026, up from 2.39 million a year earlier.

Tennessee: 3.39 million in September 2026, up from 3.36 million a year earlier. Virginia: 4.25 million in September 2026, down from 4.28 million a year earlier.

West Virginia: 0.72 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Added together, these states had 39.78 million jobs in September 2026, 0.7 percent more than a year earlier.

Southeast: unemployment

Here is the unemployment rate in the Southeast, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Alabama was 3.5 percent in September 2026, up from 2.8 percent a year earlier.

Arkansas: 3.9 percent in September 2026, down from 4.2 percent a year earlier. Florida: 4.4 percent in September 2026, up from 4.2 percent a year earlier.

Georgia: 3.3 percent in September 2026, down from 3.4 percent a year earlier. Kentucky: 4.7 percent in September 2026, up from 4.5 percent a year earlier.

Louisiana: 4.0 percent in September 2026, down from 4.2 percent a year earlier. Mississippi: 3.3 percent in September 2026, down from 3.7 percent a year earlier.

North Carolina: 3.4 percent in September 2026, down from 3.9 percent a year earlier. South Carolina: 4.0 percent in September 2026, down from 4.7 percent a year earlier.

Tennessee: 3.4 percent in September 2026, down from 3.5 percent a year earlier. Virginia: 3.6 percent in September 2026, up from 3.4 percent a year earlier.

West Virginia: 4.0 percent in September 2026, down from 4.5 percent a year earlier. In the Southeast, the lowest was Georgia, at 3.3 percent, and the highest was Kentucky, at 4.7 percent.

Southwest: building permits

Here are building permits for new homes in the Southwest, state by state. These are the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted counts of homes authorized in one month. Building permits for new homes in Arizona were 4,172 in August 2026.

New Mexico: 692 in August 2026. Oklahoma: 1,210 in August 2026.

Texas: 14,348 in August 2026. In the Southwest, the lowest was New Mexico, at 692, and the highest was Texas, at 14,348.

Southwest: home prices

Here is how home prices changed over the past year in the Southwest, state by state, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's house price index. Arizona: no figure from a year earlier.

New Mexico: no figure from a year earlier. Oklahoma: no figure from a year earlier.

Texas: no figure from a year earlier.

Southwest: jobs

Here are nonfarm payroll jobs in the Southwest, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm jobs in Arizona were 3.28 million in September 2026, up from 3.26 million a year earlier.

New Mexico: 0.90 million in September 2026, up from 0.89 million a year earlier. Oklahoma: 1.80 million in September 2026, up from 1.79 million a year earlier.

Texas: 14.46 million in September 2026, up from 14.31 million a year earlier. Added together, these states had 20.44 million jobs in September 2026, 1.0 percent more than a year earlier.

Southwest: unemployment

Here is the unemployment rate in the Southwest, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Arizona was 4.9 percent in September 2026, up from 4.4 percent a year earlier.

New Mexico: 4.7 percent in September 2026, up from 4.2 percent a year earlier. Oklahoma: 4.2 percent in September 2026, up from 3.6 percent a year earlier.

Texas: 4.4 percent in September 2026, up from 4.3 percent a year earlier. In the Southwest, the lowest was Oklahoma, at 4.2 percent, and the highest was Arizona, at 4.9 percent.

Unemployment, state by state

Here is the job market across the whole country, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year earlier it was 4.4 percent.

In its latest Summary of Economic Projections, the Federal Reserve's median projection for the unemployment rate is 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2026, 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2027 and 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2028. Among the states, the lowest rate was in South Dakota, at 2.0 percent, and the highest was in the District of Columbia, at 5.6 percent.

Through the day, each region gets its own look: the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West.

West: building permits

Here are building permits for new homes in the West, state by state. These are the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted counts of homes authorized in one month. Building permits for new homes in Alaska were 56 in August 2026.

California: 9,087 in August 2026. Colorado: 2,074 in August 2026.

Hawaii: 258 in August 2026. Idaho: 1,747 in August 2026.

Montana: 527 in August 2026. Nevada: 1,134 in August 2026.

Oregon: 944 in August 2026. Utah: 1,857 in August 2026.

Washington: 2,092 in August 2026. Wyoming: 169 in August 2026.

In the West, the lowest was Alaska, at 56, and the highest was California, at 9,087.

West: home prices

Here is how home prices changed over the past year in the West, state by state, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's house price index. Alaska: no figure from a year earlier.

California: no figure from a year earlier. Colorado: no figure from a year earlier.

Hawaii: no figure from a year earlier. Idaho: no figure from a year earlier.

Montana: no figure from a year earlier. Nevada: no figure from a year earlier.

Oregon: no figure from a year earlier. Utah: no figure from a year earlier.

Washington: no figure from a year earlier. Wyoming: no figure from a year earlier.

West: jobs

Here are nonfarm payroll jobs in the West, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm jobs in Alaska were 0.34 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

California: 18.15 million in September 2026, up from 18.02 million a year earlier. Colorado: 2.97 million in September 2026, up from 2.96 million a year earlier.

Hawaii: 0.64 million in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. Idaho: 0.89 million in September 2026, up from 0.88 million a year earlier.

Montana: 0.52 million in September 2026, down from 0.53 million a year earlier. Nevada: 1.62 million in September 2026, up from 1.59 million a year earlier.

Oregon: 1.97 million in September 2026, down from 1.98 million a year earlier. Utah: 1.80 million in September 2026, up from 1.77 million a year earlier.

Washington: 3.65 million in September 2026, up from 3.63 million a year earlier. Wyoming: 0.30 million in September 2026, up from 0.29 million a year earlier.

Added together, these states had 32.86 million jobs in September 2026, 0.7 percent more than a year earlier.

West: unemployment

Here is the unemployment rate in the West, state by state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Alaska was 4.3 percent in September 2026, down from 4.7 percent a year earlier.

California: 5.1 percent in September 2026, down from 5.5 percent a year earlier. Colorado: 4.1 percent in September 2026, up from 3.8 percent a year earlier.

Hawaii: 2.8 percent in September 2026, up from 2.1 percent a year earlier. Idaho: 3.6 percent in September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.

Montana: 3.1 percent in September 2026, down from 3.5 percent a year earlier. Nevada: 4.7 percent in September 2026, down from 5.2 percent a year earlier.

Oregon: 5.0 percent in September 2026, down from 5.3 percent a year earlier. Utah: 3.5 percent in September 2026, down from 3.6 percent a year earlier.

Washington: 4.8 percent in September 2026, up from 4.7 percent a year earlier. Wyoming: 3.0 percent in September 2026, down from 3.4 percent a year earlier.

In the West, the lowest was Hawaii, at 2.8 percent, and the highest was California, at 5.1 percent.