- Posted December 2025
September 2025 highlights
The unemployment rate decreased to 3.1% (306 unemployed individuals) compared to August 2025.
Employers reported 20 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 7,240).
Summary
Over the past four years, Asotin County experienced notable shifts in employment and unemployment. In 2021, the unemployment rate was 3.7%, with 395 people actively seeking work. Resident employment increased by 3.8% from 2022 to 2024. From 2021 to 2022, there was a slightly smaller increase in employment with 0.4% growth, from 10,228 to 10,274 employees. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 3.3%.
Service-providing sectors continued to dominate the job market in Asotin County in 2024, accounting for 84.2% of total employment. Within that group, the retail trade sector remained the standout performer over the past three years, adding 161 new jobs, a 15.5% increase. The largest contributors within retail trade were food and beverage stores, which added 113 jobs. The health care and social assistance sector also showed steady growth, averaging a 3.4% annual increase, and adding 53 new jobs over the same period. Meanwhile, goods-producing industries comprised 15.8% of total employment. Overall, the labor market in Asotin County demonstrated continued resilience and adaptability, mirroring broader economic trends and reflecting the strength of local industry dynamics.
Location
Asotin County is in the southeastern corner of Washington. It is part of the Lewiston–Clarkston metropolitan area, which includes Nez Perce County, Idaho. The town of Asotin is the county seat. Clarkston is the largest city in the county. Asotin County’s population was 22,285 in the 2020 census. In 2023, Census estimated the population at 22,549, which is 1.2% growth from the 2020 census.
The county covers 641 square miles, including 4.4 square miles of water. It features a mix of fertile agricultural regions and rugged terrain marked by creeks and gullies.
Asotin County was created out of Garfield County in 1883 and derives its name from a Nez Perce word meaning "Eel Creek."
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Asotin County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Asotin County employment situation for September 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
- The labor force (9,923 in total) grew by 228 people from August to September 2025, while employment increased by 237, indicating stronger job gains than labor‑force growth.
- Unemployment fell by 9 people, lowering the unemployment rate from 3.2% to 3.1%.
- Compared to September 2024, the labor force is up 1.8% and employment is up 1.7%, reflecting steady year‑over‑year expansion.
- Unemployment is down by 13 people year‑over‑year, though the unemployment rate edged up slightly from 3.0% to 3.1% because the labor force grew faster than the number of unemployed workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly payroll employment in Asotin County
Nonfarm employment, not seasonally adjusted:
In September 2025, Asotin County had 7,240 jobs.
The month prior, in August 2025, there were 20 fewer (7,220 in total).
Compared to August, in September there are:
- Twenty more jobs in goods‑producing industries, driven equally by gains in both construction and manufacturing.
- Ten more jobs in mining, logging and construction, reflecting modest growth.
- Ten more jobs in manufacturing, continuing a steady upward trend.
One year ago, in September 2024, there were 10 fewer jobs (7,230 in total).
Compared to that month, in September there are:
- Thirty more (6.8%) jobs in manufacturing, the strongest gain among all industries.
- Thirty more (1.6%) jobs in private education and health services, continuing long‑term sector growth.
- Twenty fewer (4.1%) jobs in mining, logging and construction, marking a notable decline from last year.
- Twenty fewer (3.5%) jobs in leisure and hospitality, indicating ongoing weakness in that sector.
- Other noteworthy changes include 20 fewer (11.1%) jobs in other services and 10 more (4.0%) jobs in financial activities, along with a 20‑job (1.6%) increase in government employment.
- Ten more jobs in professional and business services, offset by declines elsewhere.
- Other noteworthy changes include 10 fewer government jobs and a decline of 10 jobs each in retail trade and information.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Asotin County
| NAICS Industry Title | Sep 2025 (Prelim) | Aug 2025 (Revised) | Sep 2024 (Revised) | Aug 2025 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 7,240 | 7,220 | 7,230 | 20 | 10 | 0.1% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 5,950 | 5,920 | 5,970 | 30 | -20 | -0.3% |
| Goods-producing | 940 | 920 | 930 | 20 | 10 | 1.1% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 470 | 460 | 490 | 10 | -20 | -4.1% |
| - Manufacturing | 470 | 460 | 440 | 10 | 30 | 6.8% |
| Service-providing | 6,300 | 6,300 | 6,300 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,090 | 1,100 | 1,100 | -10 | -10 | -0.9% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 50 | 60 | 60 | -10 | -10 | -16.7% |
| - Financial activities | 260 | 260 | 250 | 0 | 10 | 4.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 490 | 480 | 490 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,910 | 1,910 | 1,880 | 0 | 30 | 1.6% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 830 | 830 | 860 | 0 | -30 | -3.5% |
| - Other services | 160 | 160 | 180 | 0 | -20 | -11.1% |
| - Government | 1,280 | 1,290 | 1,260 | -10 | 20 | 1.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated December 8, 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 in Asotin County
In 2024, Asotin County’s wages totaled $371.4 million. Average annual covered employment was 6,824 and the average annual wage was $54,469. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
The health care and social assistance sector led in employment with 1,496 jobs, averaging $57,859 annually. Construction (508 jobs), and finance and insurance (197 jobs) sectors showed strong wages at $75,101 and $83,978, respectively. Wholesale trade (114 jobs) and information (55 jobs) sectors had high average wages of $110,194 and $95,2641, though lower employment numbers.
Retail trade had significant employment at 1,089 but lower wages at $42,243. Agriculture and accommodation and food services sectors had lower average wages, reflecting the diverse economic landscape. The service-providing sector continued to dominate, making up a significant portion of the total employment. Key industries experienced growth, such as retail trade, health care, and social assistance, contributing to the overall employment increase.
Employment by industry, Asotin County 2024 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.
The top six sectors in terms of employment in 2024:
-
Health care and social assistance (1,496 or 21.9%)
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Government (1,253 or 18.4%)
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Retail trade (1,089 or 16.0%)
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Accommodation and food services (751 or 11.0%)
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Construction (508 or 7.4%)
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Manufacturing (470 or 6.9%)
Wages can vary substantially from one sector to another.
The top eight sectors in terms of wages in 2024:
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Wholesale trade ($110,194)
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Information ($95,264)
-
Professional, scientific, and technical services ($84,526)
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Finance and insurance ($83,978)
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Construction ($75,101)
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Transportation and warehousing ($63,850)
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Health care and social assistance ($57,859)
-
Government ($55,891)
Workforce demographics in Asotin County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 20-24 age group at 92%. The 65-74 age group has the lowest at 19.8%. Most of the workforce is white with a 55.0% labor force participation rate. Asian workers have the highest labor force participation rate at 83.6%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (76.3%) compared to female workers (75.2%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 88.6%. People with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 43.3%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Asotin County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 18,573 | 56.0% | 5.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 992 | 50.8% | 14.5% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,188 | 92.0% | 7.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,257 | 88.1% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,261 | 68.6% | 3.1% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,492 | 78.1% | 6.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,549 | 79.6% | 8.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,469 | 77.5% | 0.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,846 | 51.9% | 8.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,132 | 19.8% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,387 | 6.0% | 3.5% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 16,732 | 55.0% | 6.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 107 | 60.7% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 201 | 38.8% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 134 | 83.6% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 381 | 64.6% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 1,018 | 69.6% | 1.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 704 | 74.1% | 9.8% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 16,454 | 54.5% | 6.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 12,062 | 75.8% | 5.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,974 | 76.3% | 5.9% |
| Female | 6,088 | 75.2% | 5.5% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,720 | 76.7% | 6.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 311 | 74.6% | 3.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 293 | 70.0% | 4.4% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,116 | 79.1% | 7.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,762 | 43.2% | 22.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 10,239 | 81.8% | 4.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,083 | 39.4% | 11.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 10,874 | 74.0% | 5.5% |
| Less than high school graduate | 786 | 43.4% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,456 | 65.2% | 5.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 4,147 | 78.3% | 6.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,485 | 88.6% | 4.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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