Douglas County home sales slipped in January from a year earlier, but prices continued to rise, according to a new report from the Douglas County Appraiser’s Office.

Buyers closed 79 sales in the county during the month, down 8 percent from the 86 sales from January 2003.

Sales prices were up for the county. The average price paid for a new or existing home was $178,160, up 5.5 percent from the $168,909 average a year earlier.

Sales in Lawrence also were down from January 2004. The city — excluding North Lawrence, which is tracked as a separate market by the appraiser’s office — had 61 sales, down 7.6 percent from 66.

The average price paid in Lawrence climbed to $186,414, up 6.9 percent from $174,380 a year earlier.

North Lawrence sales held steady for the month, with four closings, the same as a year earlier. The average sale price was $100,375, down from $107,188.

Results for other towns in the Lawrence area, according to the appraiser’s report:

• Baldwin: One sale for $190,00, compared with two sales averaging $169,405 a year earlier.
• Eudora: Eight sales, down from 12 a year earlier, for an average price of $149,397, up from $138,623.
• Rural: Five sales, up from two a year earlier; sales averaged $183,351, down from $293,000.