Foreclosures in Washington increased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 35,268 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 78 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is a little more than one percent of the state's housing units.
Washington is the 13th largest U.S. state by population, with 6,664,195 people (in 2008). Its 71,342 square miles make it the 18th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $58,078.
Washington's economy was once based largely on agriculture, fishing, and trade, but it became one of the major technology centers in the world thanks to Microsoft, which is based in Redmond. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is headquartered in the Washington as are Nintendo, Amazon, Starbucks and Costco. Washington produces a variety of agricultural products including apples, cherries, grapes, wheat and 90 percent of the nation's raspberries. The state is also becoming known as one of America's premier wine producers.
