Taxable retail sales in Spokane County increased in the third quarter of 2024, with the city of Spokane's growth rate paralleling that of the county as a whole, according to data released this week by the Washington state Department of Revenue. 

Total sales in the county during last year's third quarter rose to $3.99 billion, up from $3.94 billion in the year-earlier quarter, for a 1.25% increase. 

Taxable sales growth in the city increased by 1.26% during the same period, to $1.86 billion in the most recent quarter from $1.84 billion in the third quarter of 2023. 

Elsewhere in the county, the small towns of Fairfield, Latah, and Medical Lake experienced double-digit increases in total sales volume, while Spokane Valley and Cheney both experienced slight declines in taxable sales. 

The taxable sales growth in Spokane County outpaced the entire state. Statewide, total taxable sales during the third quarter nearly reached $61 billion, up 0.8% from $60.5 billion in the year-earlier quarter.