Posted March 2025
Summary
In Adams County the agricultural industry is an important component of the local economy and labor market. The county, as of the 2022 Agriculture Census, has 558 agriculture operations utilizing 980,671 acres of land and generates $562 million in crop and livestock sales revenue. The labor force has 6,853 workers with an unemployment rate of 9.0%. Preliminary total nonfarm employment during January 2025 was 6,750 jobs. Of the nonfarm jobs, 130 were gained in the government sector over the year, however the gains were in the state and local subsectors with federal remaining unchanged. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,962 out of 9,415 total annual average employment. The county has 668 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023.
Geography
Adams County is located in eastern Washington. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, which covers much of north and central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for January 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.0% during January 2025, up from 7.0% in January 2024.
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The labor force went from 8,261 workers during January 2024 down to 6,853 during January 2025, a decrease of 1,408 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment, Current Employment Statistics
Preliminary total nonfarm employment during January 2025 was 6,750, an increase of 270 jobs from January 2024 and an increase of 40 jobs from December 2024.
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Leisure and hospitality (primarily hotels, eating and drinking places, and amusement and recreation) gained 40 jobs over the year, however lost 30 jobs from December 2024.
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Trade, Transportation, and utilities gained 40 jobs over the year and gained 10 jobs from December 2024.
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The government sector gained 130 jobs over the year and gained 80 jobs from December 2024. The 130 jobs gained were all in state and local government, while federal government jobs remained unchanged.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Adams County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jan 2025 (Preliminary) | Dec 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 6,750 | 6,710 | 6,480 | 40 | 270 | 4.2% |
| --Total private | 4,860 | 4,880 | 4,710 | -20 | 150 | 3.2% |
| ---Goods-producing | 1,410 | 1,420 | 1,370 | -10 | 40 | 2.9% |
| -----Mining, Logging and Construction | 120 | 120 | 110 | 0 | 10 | 9.1% |
| -----Manufacturing | 1,290 | 1,290 | 1,260 | 0 | 30 | 2.4% |
| ---Service-providing | 5,340 | 5,290 | 5,110 | 50 | 230 | 4.5% |
| -----Trade, transportation, and utilities | 1,620 | 1,610 | 1,580 | 10 | 40 | 2.5% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 410 | 410 | 390 | 0 | 20 | 5.1% |
| -------Retail trade | 700 | 690 | 700 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 510 | 500 | 500 | 10 | 10 | 2.0% |
| -----Private education and health services | 870 | 870 | 840 | 0 | 30 | 3.6% |
| -----Leisure and hospitality | 530 | 560 | 490 | -30 | 40 | 8.2% |
| -----Government | 1,900 | 1,820 | 1,770 | 80 | 130 | 7.3% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 17, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry sectors, covered employment
Employment by industry, Adams County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment during 2023 in Adams County was 9,415. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (2,961)
- Local government (1,614)
- Manufacturing (1,264)
- Health services (844)
- Retail trade (730)
Workforce demographics in Adams County
The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023. The labor force participation rate in Adams County for people 16 years and older was 61.5% with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. A reduced cohort, ages 20 to 64, show a 76.2% participation rate and a 3.7% unemployment rate. Within that group, 1,725 are below the poverty level.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Adams County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 14,194 | 61.5% | 4.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,462 | 31.0% | 13.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,400 | 74.6% | 8.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,256 | 67.2% | 1.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,265 | 78.5% | 1.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,407 | 80.6% | 2.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,003 | 83.2% | 3.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,004 | 79.5% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 951 | 57.7% | 11.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,602 | 25.0% | 1.5% |
| 75 years and over | 844 | 5.5% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 7,161 | 55.4% | 6.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 77 | 51.9% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 460 | 85.4% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 129 | 69.8% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 56 | 92.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 3,970 | 65.4% | 2.3% |
| Two or more races | 2,341 | 68.3% | 2.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 8,186 | 67.8% | 3.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 5,415 | 52.2% | 6.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 10,286 | 76.2% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,328 | 82.8% | 3.2% |
| Female | 4,958 | 69.1% | 4.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 2,247 | 67.4% | 0.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 314 | 56.4% | 0.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 773 | 56.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,160 | 77.5% | 0.6% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,725 | 53.8% | 7.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,500 | 81.3% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,058 | 36.8% | 16.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,886 | 76.4% | 2.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 2,891 | 71.1% | 0.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2,652 | 74.1% | 6.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,028 | 78.3% | 2.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,315 | 89.9% | 0.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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