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BLS 09-89 |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported consumer prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area edged down 0.1 percent for the two months ending August 2009. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said that the decrease in the all items index was mainly due to lower prices for food and beverages, housing, and apparel. From August 2008 to August 2009, overall prices decreased 0.3 percent, but the all items less food and energy index rose 1.9 percent. Local Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are not seasonally adjusted.
The food and beverages index moved down 0.5 percent from June to August, but increased 0.7 percent over the year. Grocery prices, as measured by the food at home index, dropped 1.5 percent over the past two months and were 1.2 percent lower than a year ago. Food away from home prices increased 0.2 percent from June to August and advanced 2.4 percent for the latest 12-month period.
The housing index edged down 0.1 percent for the two months ending August 2009, but was 1.8 percent higher over the year. Shelter, the primary component of housing, was virtually unchanged over the past two months, yet increased 2.3 percent compared to one year ago. Within the shelter category, the rent of primary residence index and the owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence index both decreased 0.3 percent from June to August. Over the past year, the rent of primary residence index, advanced 1.9 percent and the owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence index rose 3.1 percent. Shelter also includes lodging away from home, an unpublished subcategory. Fuels and utilities, another component of housing, was virtually unchanged during the past two months, yet increased 2.4 percent during the past 12 months. Within the fuels and utilities index, prices for electricity and utility (piped) gas services were unchanged from June to August. Compared to one year ago, prices for electricity moved down 0.3 percent, but prices for utility (piped) gas services rose 13.4 percent. Prices for household furnishings and operations decreased 1.6 percent over the past two months and 2.3 percent over the past year.
Apparel prices dropped 5.6 percent for the latest two-month period and were 1.5 percent lower over the past year.
The transportation index rose 1.3 percent during the past two months, primarily due to a 1.2 percent increase in private transportation prices. Over the year, the transportation index declined 6.9 percent and private transportation prices were down 7.2 percent. Gasoline prices dropped 28.2 percent in the past year, also influencing the decrease in transportation prices for the same period.
Medical care prices declined 0.4 percent for the two months ending in August, but moved up 1.5 percent over the year.
Among the remaining major expenditure categories, prices for education and communication increased 0.6 percent and prices for recreation rose 0.8 percent for the latest two-month period. Over the past year, education and communication prices increased 2.7 percent, but recreation prices decreased 0.8 percent. The other goods and services index decreased 1.4 percent from June to August, but moved up 2.2 percent over the latest 12-month period.
The All Items, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area measured 227.138 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $227.14 in August 2009.
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Last Modified Date: September 16, 2009
