This document contains graphs and charts analyzing economic indicators such as unemployment claims, foreclosures, housing prices, and commodity prices in the Midwest region from 1990 to 2009. It shows the effects of recessions, including the most recent one in 2007-2008, on these indicators. During recessions, the graphs demonstrate increases in unemployment, foreclosures, and decreases in housing prices, building permits, and commodity prices like corn and gasoline.

1. Taggert J. Brooks, PhD
Associate Professor of Economics
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

2. Postwar Recessions (1946-2008): Cumulative Decline from NBER Peak (pct)
0
-1
Median
-2
2007 Recession
-3 Harshest
-4
-5
-6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

3. Postwar Recessions (1946-2008): Cumulative Decline from NBER Peak (pct)
0
1957
-1
1990
-2
2007 Recession
-3
-4
-5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

4. 6.00 800
Thousands
Millions
700
5.00
Continued Claims for Unemployment: SA
600
Initial Claims for Unemployment: SA
4.00
500
3.00 400
300
2.00
200
1.00
100
0.00 0
1990-Jan-06 1994-Jan-06 1998-Jan-06 2002-Jan-06 2006-Jan-06

5. Continued Claims - Minnesota
140
Thousands
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98 Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08

6. Continued Claims - Wisconsin
200
Thousands
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98 Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08

7. Foreclosures: 7 Rivers Counties
1,000.0
900.0
800.0
Total Number of Foreclosures Filed in Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse,
Monroe, Trempealeau, Vernon Counties
700.0
600.0
500.0
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
-
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

8. 250.0
Foreclosures Filed By County
200.0 Juneau
Monroe
150.0
Trempealeau
100.0
Vernon
Jackson
50.0
-
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

9. Number of Building Permits in Metropolitan Statistical Area
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
Total Permits
30.0
20.0 Single Unit Permits
10.0
0.0
Jan-99 Jan-01 Jan-03 Jan-05 Jan-07 Jan-09

10. Average Number of Days on Market 7 Rivers Region
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
1997-Jan 1999-Jan 2001-Jan 2003-Jan 2005-Jan 2007-Jan 2009-Jan

11. 7 Rivers Region Percentage Increase in Selling Price for Previous 12 months
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-2.0
-4.0
-6.0
1999-Jan 2001-Jan 2003-Jan 2005-Jan 2007-Jan 2009-Jan

12. Average Price of Single Family Homes Sold in 7 Rivers Region
$180,000
$170,000
$160,000
$150,000
$140,000
$130,000
$120,000
$110,000
$100,000
$90,000
$80,000
1997-Jan 1999-Jan 2001-Jan 2003-Jan 2005-Jan 2007-Jan 2009-Jan

13. Cash Bid Corn ($/bu)
$8.00
$7.00
$6.00
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$2.00
$1.00
$0.00
Sep-75 Sep-78 Sep-81 Sep-84 Sep-87 Sep-90 Sep-93 Sep-96 Sep-99 Sep-02 Sep-05 Sep-08

14. Real Corn Price $/BU CPI 1982-1984=100
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

15. Midwest Regular Reformulated Retail Gasoline Prices (C/gal)
450.0
400.0
350.0
300.0
250.0
200.0
150.0
100.0
50.0
0.0
Jan-95 Jan-97 Jan-99 Jan-01 Jan-03 Jan-05 Jan-07 Jan-09

16. In Recessions
People Substitute – Time for Money

17. In Recessions
People Get Healthier