ALBANY — Home sales in the region were up slightly in May over sales recorded in April, but they still remained well off last year's pace.

Eighty-five existing single-family homes were sold in Jefferson County in May, according to monthly figures released Wednesday by the New York State Association of Realtors. This beats the 72 sold in April, but trails the 98 sold in May 2007. Sixty-four homes were sold in Jefferson County in May 2006.

"Sales gains were reported in 47 New York counties this month, with a collective sales increase of 11.8 percent compared to April," said Duncan R. MacKenzie, the association's chief executive officer. "When compared to the national numbers, New York State's housing market is faring better, which is encouraging to see as we head into the summer months."

In Lewis County, sales remained fairly constant with 14 homes changing hands in May, versus 11 in April, 15 in May 2007 and 16 in May 2006.

In St. Lawrence County, 54 existing single-family homes were sold in May, up from 47 in April, but down from 82 in May 2007 and 61 in May 2006.

Statewide, 6,623 homes changed hands in May. This represents both an 11.8 percent increase from April's 5,926 and a 26.4 percent decline from the 8,994 sold in May 2006.

Nationally, the association reported existing home sales rose 1.6 percent in May over April, but dropped 14.5 percent compared to May 2007.

Median sale prices in the region were mixed. Jefferson County had the area's highest median at $129,000, up from $122,500 in April and from $120,000 in May 2007, but down slightly from $130,850 in May 2006.

St. Lawrence County's median sale price continued to fluctuate, coming in at $81,750 for May, compared to $74,500 in April, $81,550 in May 2007 and $75,000 in May 2006.

In Lewis County, the median in May was $54,250, down 60 percent from the $135,500 median in April. It is also down considerably from $88,837 in May 2007 and from $70,500 in May 2006.

Statewide, the median sale price for an existing home was $210,000, identical to April's price, but down from $230,000 in May 2007 and from $235,000 in May 2006.

The association reported May's national median sale price to be $206,700, up 3.6 percent from April's median of $199,600, but down 6.8 percent from the $221,900 median in May 2007.