Chapman University’s semi-annual economic forecast hit some sour notes with its projection for 2017 looking like the overall slowest year since the Great Recession.

With the economic rebound in its eighth year, the business climate — especially in Orange County — is losing much of its oomph, said Chapman’s report released Wednesday, June 21.

“Prospects dim. Even more than California’s” reads the chapter title on the local economy.

Here are six Orange County themes in the forecast:

(1) Modest job growth

The post-recession hiring spree will cool with a projected Orange County employment growth of 1.5 percent this year. That’s down from 2.3 percent in 2016 and would be the slowest pace since the recovery began. Key culprits? A lack of workers to hire and a possible end to the building boom.

(2) Decent income boost

Countywide income is projected to grow by 4.5 percent this year vs. 4.3 percent in 2016. That added cash allows local spending, as measured by taxable sales, to grow by 4.5 percent this year vs. 4.3 percent in 2016. That extra shopping won’t help local retailers, though, as their employment will fall 0.1 percent in 2017.

(3) Pricier homes

Chapman has been concerned since late last year that Orange County pricing has exceeded underlying fundamentals. Yet, a very limited supply of homes to buy is projected to push up prices 6.2 percent this year — the highest since 2013.

(4) Construction cools

The post-recession building boom won’t be much of an economic driver. Building permits in dollars will grow by 4.5 percent this year vs. 10.1 percent in 2016. As a result, Orange County construction bosses will increase staffing only by 2.9 percent vs. 5.7 percent in 2016 and 10.3 percent in 2015.

(5) Meager population growth

Chapman notes that a quickly aging Orange County population won’t grow by much in the coming years. A key reason? Foreign immigration, a major population boost, will slow as local departures rise. By 2020, Orange County will add a net 92,000 residents — all older than 65.

(6) State, nation outpace

Orange County will be a laggard in 2017 compared with U.S job growth, forecast to rise 1.7 percent for 2017, and 2.1 percent growth in California. The national challenge will be what, if any, fiscal stimulus comes out of Washington. Statewide, the big question: How slow will the high-paying tech sector get?