The 47 Index · Methodology preview

Is Washington getting easier to build in?

Forty-seven indicators across six domains, tracked every quarter. One question behind all of them: is it getting easier, or harder, to build a business and a life here?

Preview. This page demonstrates the 47 Index framework. The figures below are illustrative, not official statistics. The live edition — built on public data from OFM, Commerce, L&I, and WSDOT with a published methodology — is in development.

47

Indicators tracked

6

Domains covered

quarterly

Q2

2026 briefing

This quarter’s signals

Read the full briefing
Housing & Communities−27 days YoY

94 days

Median residential permit time

First sustained decline in a decade. Lower is better.

Housing & Communities+9.4%

48,200

Homes permitted, trailing 12mo

Missing-middle starts leading the gain.

Infrastructure & Energy+0.3 yr

3.9 yrs

Avg. interconnection wait

The binding constraint on clean industry. Lower is better.

Education & Workforce+18%

31,500

Active registered apprenticeships

Advanced manufacturing and healthcare leading.

Environment & Resources+2 pts

88%

In-state electricity from clean sources

Hydro-anchored, with wind and solar rising.

Economy & Innovation+4.1%

24,900

New business formations, Q/Q

Broadening beyond the Puget Sound core.

Infrastructure & Energy+6 pts

71%

Households with gigabit access

Rural counties closing the gap fastest.

Environment & Resources+34 mi

212 mi

Miles of restored salmon habitat

Skagit and Snake basins lead restoration.

Government & Policy+7 pts

92%

State permitting roles filled

Staffing is the quiet lever on throughput.

A note on method: the 47 Index is a prototype illustration. Figures shown here are representative mock data assembled for this demonstration, not official statistics.