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1.4.2 Total Accommodation Retail Sales and Annual Growth Rate
Why is this important?
Annual taxable retail sales represent one of the most important measures of the size and changes in any economy. Offered as annual or quarterly totals of all taxable retail sales often serve as key proxies of total county economic activity, since consumption forms the largest part of any economy.
These data are not just available as total taxable retail sales, but also by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors. NAICS is used "by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy." NAICS allows an economy to be measured broadly, or as smaller subsectors of an economy.
This indicator includes all businesses falling into NAICS Subsector Code 72 - Accommodations. It counts businesses who offer "lodging or short-term accommodations for travelers, vacationers, and others" and include traveler accommodations, recreational accommodations, and rooming and boarding houses.
The level and growth rate of retail sales within the just within the Accommodations sector gives economic development agencies and potential investors a sense of how well this part of the economy is doing. This is important because Accommodations is a sector reliant upon other aspects of the economy for growth such as restaurants and bars located inside of or within close proximity to accommodations.
This indicator measures the taxable retail sales in the accommodation NAICS subsector in Walla Walla County, and the annual growth rate. Washington State is offered as a benchmark. Additional information, including the total accommodation taxable retail sales in the state, can be found in the "Download Data" section.
Where are we?
During 2024 in Walla Walla County, the total taxable retail sales in Accommodation was $38.0 million, increasing from $10.2 million or by 274.4% since 2004.
The annual growth rate of taxable retail sales in Accommodation from 2023 to 2024 in:
- Walla Walla County was 10%.
- Washington State was 3.8%.
Data Sources
Washington State Department of Revenue: Quarterly Business Review
For county data: Select your desired annual time period, select "Tables 3 and 4 - Taxable Retail Sales for Counties and Cities", then select your desired location. In this case, select "3699 Walla Walla County Total," then select your desired format. Inside the report, scroll down to "Accommodations & Food Services 72," under "Accommodations 721," and below "Taxable Retail Sales."
For statewide data: Select your desired annual time period, select "Table 6 - State Retail Sales Tax," and select your desired format. Inside the report, scroll down to "Accommodations & Food Services 72," under "Accommodations 721," and below "Taxable."
To access the list of NAICS 72 business types: Go to the Census Bureau site, under "Reference Files", click on "2022 NAICS", scroll down until you locate 72, and click on it.