Lubbock National Bank wrapped up the Lubbock Economic Index for 2012 with a flourish.
Lubbock's economy finished the year at its highest level in four years, rising to 130.5. That's less than one percent away from the peak reached in September 2008.
"Unemployment fell. It was at 5.5 percent for the year. That's a yearly average. That's down about 11 percent from this time last year. So all the factors that we look at continue to show very positive growth," Vice President James Arnold said.
Retail sales grew about 6.2 percent, there was a 20 percent growth rate in automobile sales, and housing grew across all sectors, with about 3,300 homes sold.
