Local Economy: The Citizen Challenge

Editor's Note: The submission period for this phase of the Local Economy Challenge has expired.

How will the Washington regional economy do in 2007? To answer the question, once again Washington Post staff writer Neil Irwin once again seeks the help of people who know local business -- our readers. In the blanks below, please enter your predictions for how each of 11 indicators will turn out this year. We'll publish predictions in a future edition of Washington Business, and a year from now will check out who was most, and least, accurate.

D.C. Unemployment: percent
Historical Data
2002:
6.8%
2003:
7.2%
2004:
7.4%
2005:
6.0%
2006:
6.0%
Detailed Information

Md. Unemployment: percent
Historical Data
2002:
4.5%
2003:
4.5%
2004:
4.3%
2005:
4.0%
2006:
3.9%
Detailed Information

Va. Unemployment: percent
Historical Data
2002:
4.1%
2003:
3.9%
2004:
3.6%
2005:
3.4%
2006:
3.0%
Detailed Information

Regional Job Growth: jobs
Historical Data
2002:
21,200
2003:
64,900
2004:
87,300
2005:
61,200
2006:
66,200
Detailed Information

Inflation: percent
Historical Data
2002:
2.8%
2003:
2.4%
2004:
3.6%
2005:
3.7%
2006:
3.1%
Detailed Information

Gross Regional Product Growth: percent
Historical Data
2002:
3.7%
2003:
4.4%
2004:
4.9%
2005:
4.5%
2006:
4.0%
Detailed Information

Single-Family Home Price: $
Historical Data
2003:
$296,200
2004:
$362,400
2005:
$441,400
2006:
$431,900
Detailed Information

Housing Permits:
Historical Data
2002:
36,272
2003:
35,800
2004:
34,584
2005:
32,800
2006:
26,673
Detailed Information

Regional Stocks: percent
Historical Data
2002:
-2.15%
2003:
32.85%
2004:
24.76%
2005:
-2.99%
2006:
9.35%
Detailed Information

Office Vacancy Rate: percent
Historical Data
2002:
12.5%
2003:
11.8%
2004:
10.4%
2005:
8.8%
2006:
9.2%
Detailed Information

Airport Passengers: million
Historical Data
2002:
29.4
2003:
31.2
2004:
38
2005:
45
2006:
41.5
Detailed Information

Please enter your name and e-mail address if you want to take part in the challenge:
Name:    
E-Mail:  
Optional: What will be the biggest surprise of 2007?