Sherman County

Home values in Sherman County have climbed 8.6% from their March low, rising from $144,294 to $156,674 across two consecutive readings—a potential sign that the local housing market is stabilizing. The gains followed a trough in late March and have held through July despite broader economic headwinds.

Yet the county's labor market is moving in the opposite direction. Unemployment has reversed course and now stands at 3.9% in June, up 34.5% from its April low of 2.9%. The jobless rate has risen for two straight data releases after briefly improving in the spring. Over the past 12 months, unemployment has remained volatile, swinging between 2.9% and 4.0%, with no clear downward trajectory.

The divergence between housing and employment suggests uneven economic conditions across the county of roughly 5,900 residents. Housing demand may be holding firm even as labor market tightness eases—a pattern often seen in rural counties where employment can be cyclical or seasonal. Local reporters should investigate whether specific sectors are driving the unemployment uptick and whether housing gains reflect local investment or external market forces.