Pend Oreille County profile

April 2025 Highlights

In April, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 6.4% to 5.5%. Total nonfarm employment increased by 100 jobs in Pend Oreille County over the year.

Pend Oreille County profile

Pend Oreille County is in the northeast corner of Washington state. Pend Oreille’s total population was estimated at 14,332 as of 2024. An estimated 27.4% of the county’s population is age 65 years and over.

Federal, state, and local government jobs account for most jobs in the county. Pend Oreille County is rich with natural resources, such as rivers and forest land, and much of the economy is linked to managing those resources. Around 327 employers demand labor in Pend Oreille County. Around 5,042 workers make up the labor force, with an average unemployment rate of 6.1% in 2024. 

Pend Oreille County geographic overview

 

Pend Oreille County is known for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city of Newport serves as both the county seat and the largest city in Pend Oreille County.

The county spans 1,425 square miles, including 24 square miles of water. Its terrain features forests, mountains, and several lakes and rivers, offering abundant recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.

Pend Oreille County was created out of Stevens County in 1911 and is named after the Pend d'Oreilles Native American tribe.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Pend Oreille County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Pend Oreille employment situation for April 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

• In April 2025, Pend Orielle County had an estimated 4,898 workers in the labor force, down 99 workers from the same month last year. 4,631 workers were employed, and 267 workers were unemployed and actively looking for work in the month.

• The unemployment rate in the county was 5.5% in April 2025, which decreased from 6.4% in March 2025 and 5.8% in April 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics

Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Pend Oreille

• As of April 2025, total nonfarm employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,310 jobs. This increased by 10 jobs over the month and 100 jobs from April 2024. Private sectors, with 1,550 jobs, saw an increase of 10 jobs over the month and 50 jobs from April 2024 to April 2025.

• Goods producing sectors, with 340 jobs, increased by 10 jobs over the month and 50 jobs from April 2024.

  • Mining, logging, and construction added 10 jobs over the month, and increased by 70 jobs from April 2024.

• Service providing sectors, with 2,970 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and increased by 50 jobs from April 2024.

  • Professional and business services, with 220 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and decreased by 10 jobs over the year.

  • Private education and health services, with 260 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and decreased by 10 jobs over the year.

  • Leisure and hospitality, with 270 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and increased by 20 jobs over the year.

• Government services including public educational services totaled 1,760 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and increased by 50 jobs from April 2024. Local government added 60 jobs over the year, while state government decreased by 10 jobs over the same time.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Pend Oreille County

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated May 16, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.

Total covered employment

Employment by industry, Pend Oreille County 2023 annual average

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

The average annual covered employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,185 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in Pend Oreille was $58,210 during 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment during 2023:

• Government (1678)
• Health care and social assistance (264)
• Retail trade (249)
• Accommodation and food services (232)
• Construction (160)

Top five sectors in terms of earnings during 2023:

• Administrative and waste services ($110,057)
• Professional, scientific, and technical services ($107,527)
• Other ($97,708)
• Government ($67,972)
• Manufacturing ($57,464)

Workforce demographics in Pend Oreille County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 86.5%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 16.6%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 65.4%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (71.1%) compared to female workers (59.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 71.5%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 39.3%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Pend Oreille County.

Age

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status 

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.