There were plenty of local reports released in May about what’s happening in different parts of the economy. Here is a summary:

Unemployment:

The Whatcom County unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in April, down from 5 percent in March, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

While the unemployment rate is down from the previous month, it was up from April 2007, when the rate was 4.1 percent. The county had 690 more workers unemployed in April compared to the same time last year, but the labor force increased by 4,390 year-over-year.

Real estate:

A home price index study by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight found that Bellingham home prices appreciated by 2.4 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2007. The study differed from earlier reports about the local real estate market in the first quarter, which showed a slight price decline. The federal report incorporates other data, such as appraisals for refinanced mortgage loans, and excludes properties that were used in riskier types of loans.

Foreclosures:

According to RealtyTrac, which tracks foreclosure filings across the nation, Whatcom County had 39 foreclosure filings in April, down from 51 in March. That translates to one foreclosure filing for every 2,187 households in April. The state average was one filing for every 1,126 households. The national average was one filing for every 519 homes.

Bankruptcies:

In Whatcom County, 35 bankruptcies were reported in April, down slightly from 37 in March. In the first quarter of this year, the county had 122 bankruptcy filings, up 30 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court district office in Seattle.

Canadian dollar:

The loonie remained very stable for the second straight month, varying between 98 cents and $1.01 compared to the U.S. dollar.

Other local business happenings:

Cherry Point is one of two places being considered for a large potash terminal that would be built by Canpotex International, a consortium of three Saskatchewan potash producers. … Colder, wet weather has pushed the strawberry harvest to later this month.