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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.6% to 6.9% (1,314 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 120 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 11,680 jobs).
Employment updates for December 2025
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 6.9% in Stevens County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States."
Stevens County's labor market highlights
- Stevens County is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Colville serves as the county seat and is the largest city in Stevens County.
- Stevens County was historically a top silver and copper producer from the 1850’s to 1910.
- Forest products also played a major role.
- Its economy has diversified over the past 20 years, shifting from resource extraction to service-providing jobs and manufacturing.
- Job growth has been driven by demand in housing, recreational markets and machinery manufacturing.
- Health care employment has grown due to an increase in retirees and changing demographics, especially in assisted care centers.
- Government is the largest employment sector, accounting for about 30% of total jobs.
Contact Stevens County's labor economist
Mike McBride, North central / Northeast region
- Email Mike: michael.mcbride@esd.wa.gov
- Call Mike: 564-250-3924
Stevens County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Stevens County is part of the Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 6.9% in Stevens County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Stevens County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 18,919 | 18,933 | 18,811 |
| Employed persons | 17,605 | 17,878 | 17,554 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,314 | 1,055 | 1,257 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 5.6% | 6.7% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Stevens County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
Stevens County has a seasonal unemployment rate, with elevated levels observed in the winter months.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.9% |
8.0% |
7.2% |
5.2% |
4.3% |
3.6% |
4.7% |
5.7% |
4.6% |
5.2% |
5.4% |
7.3% |
|
7.5% |
8.5% |
7.6% |
5.3% |
5.2% |
4.5% |
6.3% |
5.8% |
4.5% |
5.0% |
5.8% |
6.7% |
|
7.3% |
8.0% |
6.7% |
5.4% |
5.1% |
4.2% |
5.2% |
5.2% |
4.4% |
5.6% |
6.9% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Stevens County has 11,680 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025, there were 120 fewer jobs (11,560 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 50 more jobs in Leisure and hospitality
- 20 more jobs in Manufacturing
- 10 more jobs in Government
- 10 more jobs in Retail trade
In December 2024 there were 160 fewer jobs (11,520 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 50 (5.6%) more jobs in Leisure and hospitality
- 50 (8.1%) more jobs in Professional and business services
- 30 (1.5%) fewer jobs in Private education and health services
- 30 (6.3%) fewer jobs in Transportation. warehousing, and utilities
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Mining and logging which added 30 jobs and Manufacturing which added 20 jobs over the year.
Employment estimates for Stevens County
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 11,680 | 11,560 | 11,520 | 120 | 160 | 1.4% |
| - Private | 8,200 | 8,090 | 8,040 | 110 | 160 | 2.0% |
| - Government | 3,480 | 3,470 | 3,480 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 1,970 | 1,930 | 1,900 | 40 | 70 | 3.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 300 | 290 | 270 | 10 | 30 | 11.1% |
| - Construction | 530 | 520 | 510 | 10 | 20 | 3.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 1,140 | 1,120 | 1,120 | 20 | 20 | 1.8% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 9,720 | 9,630 | 9,620 | 90 | 100 | 1.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 240 | 240 | 230 | 0 | 10 | 4.3% |
| - Retail trade | 1,230 | 1,220 | 1,210 | 10 | 20 | 1.7% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 450 | 440 | 480 | 10 | -30 | -6.3% |
| - Information | 70 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 360 | 350 | 340 | 10 | 20 | 5.9% |
| - Professional and business services | 670 | 670 | 620 | 0 | 50 | 8.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,970 | 1,970 | 2,000 | 0 | -30 | -1.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 940 | 890 | 890 | 50 | 50 | 5.6% |
| - Other services | 310 | 300 | 300 | 10 | 10 | 3.3% |
| - Government | 3,480 | 3,470 | 3,480 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 2026. The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns use North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) annual averages data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2024's annual average was 11,512 total covered employees.
- Government - 3,401 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 1,914 jobs.
- Retail trade - 1,247 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 1,149 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 648 jobs.
Top sectors by employment
2024’s annual average wage was $53,212 for covered employees.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $82,998.
- Mining - $75,326.
- Information - $72,328.
- Administrative and waste services - $66,805.
- Finance and insurance - $64,218.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Stevens County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 38,727 | 49.5% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,264 | 38.7% | 13.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,051 | 65.0% | 17.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,205 | 77.1% | 5.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,342 | 71.3% | 5.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 5,152 | 73.4% | 4.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,434 | 74.2% | 4.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,061 | 57.3% | 1.7% |
| 60 to 64 years | 4,501 | 47.5% | 1.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 7,457 | 22.7% | 3.7% |
| 75 years and over | 4,260 | 4.7% | 4.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 34,067 | 49.2% | 4.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 154 | 52.6% | 38.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,410 | 50.4% | 20.1% |
| Asian alone | 389 | 62.7% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 68 | 60.3% | 7.3% |
| Some other race alone | 492 | 60.4% | 7.4% |
| Two or more races | 2,147 | 48.5% | 6.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,302 | 58.4% | 12.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 33,500 | 49.0% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 24,746 | 66.3% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12,383 | 71.5% | 5.6% |
| Female | 12,363 | 61.1% | 4.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,229 | 64.5% | 5.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 831 | 51.0% | 5.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 803 | 44.6% | 3.9% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,595 | 75.0% | 5.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,201 | 26.7% | 34.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 21,517 | 72.3% | 3.4% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 4,279 | 30.1% | 9.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 22,695 | 66.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,726 | 47.6% | 11.1% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 7,792 | 60.6% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 8,800 | 67.6% | 4.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,377 | 82.0% | 0.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
Funding
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.