- Posted August 2025
July 2025 highlights
Since June, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.9% to 4.5%, and total nonfarm employment decreased by 50 jobs.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in July 2025, down from 5.0% in July 2024 and up from 3.9% in June 2025. The Jefferson County labor force has 11,745 workers. There were 35 initial claim filings for unemployment insurance over the month. Total nonfarm employment, at 9,240 jobs, decreased by 160 jobs from July 2024 to July 2025, and decreased by 50 jobs from June 2025.
Geography
Jefferson County is located on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington state. It is nestled between the Admiralty Inlet and Clallam, Mason, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the west and Hood Canal to the east. Named for President Thomas Jefferson, it was created in 1852 from a portion of Lewis County. The county seat is Port Townsend.
Much of Jefferson County is publicly managed. About 60% of the county comprises the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest and roughly 20% percent is under state and federal jurisdiction. The Hoh Reservation and a small corner of the Quinault Reservation are also located in Jefferson County. Jefferson County is a mid-sized county, ranking 18th in the state in land area. Its population density, as measured by people per square mile, ranks 29th.
Jefferson County is part of the Olympic Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions
Employment situation for July 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in July 2025, up from 3.9% in June 2025 and below 5.0% in July 2024.
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The labor force, at 11,745 workers, 23 workers over the month and decreased by 554 workers over the year.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment, at 9,240 jobs, decreased 50 jobs from June and 160 jobs compared to July 2024.
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Construction employment, at 680 jobs, decreased by 20 jobs over the month and 20 jobs over the year.
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Retail trade employment was down 40 jobs over the month and decreased by 70 jobs over the year.
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Private education and health services industry jobs unchanged over the month and above last year by 20 jobs.
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Leisure and hospitality employment at 1,130 jobs was unchanged over the month and was 150 jobs below July 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Jefferson County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jul 2025 (Prelim) | Jun 2025 (Revised) | Jul 2024 (Revised) | Jun 2025 to Jul 2025 Change | Jul 2024 to Jul 2025 Change | Jul 2024 to Jul 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 9,240 | 9,290 | 9,400 | -50 | -160 | -1.7% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 6,460 | 6,540 | 6,730 | -80 | -270 | -4.0% |
| Goods-producing | 1,360 | 1,360 | 1,390 | 0 | -30 | -2.2% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 680 | 690 | 700 | -10 | -20 | -2.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 660 | 650 | 660 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 7,880 | 7,940 | 8,020 | -60 | -140 | -1.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 200 | 200 | 220 | 0 | -20 | -9.1% |
| - Retail trade | 1,110 | 1,150 | 1,180 | -40 | -70 | -5.9% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 120 | 120 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 90 | 100 | 90 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 290 | 290 | 300 | 0 | -10 | -3.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 500 | 510 | 510 | -10 | -10 | -2.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,140 | 1,140 | 1,120 | 0 | 20 | 1.8% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,130 | 1,130 | 1,280 | 0 | -150 | -11.7% |
| - Other services | 520 | 550 | 540 | -30 | -20 | -3.7% |
| - Government | 2,780 | 2,750 | 2,670 | 30 | 110 | 4.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated August 14, 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.
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Jefferson County 2023 annual average
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.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Jefferson County was 8,968 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 Jefferson County was $54,891 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (2,492)
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Accommodation and food service (1,091)
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Retail Trade (1,077)
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Health care and social services (772)
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Construction (710)
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Mining and Utilities* ($109,645)
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Professional, scientific, and technical services ($98,924)
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Government ($75,373)
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Manufacturing ($73,563)
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Finance and insurance ($62,567)
Workforce demographics in Jefferson County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 29,896 | 43.3% | 7.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 719 | 44.9% | 20.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 943 | 78.3% | 25.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,334 | 75.0% | 3.0% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,570 | 77.5% | 5.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 3,156 | 73.9% | 6.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 3,297 | 72.1% | 8.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,602 | 64.7% | 8.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,094 | 46.5% | 7.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 8,080 | 19.3% | 1.7% |
| 75 years and over | 5,101 | 5.3% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 26,198 | 43.0% | 7.7% |
| Black or African American alone | 114 | 47.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 309 | 57.9% | 15.6% |
| Asian alone | 443 | 33.9% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 29 | 75.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 724 | 34.7% | 1.2% |
| Two or more races | 2,079 | 48.5% | 9.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,077 | 58.0% | 7.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 25,880 | 42.7% | 7.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 15,996 | 67.4% | 8.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7,899 | 68.5% | 9.1% |
| Female | 8,097 | 66.4% | 7.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 2,161 | 63.5% | 8.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 568 | 54.0% | 6.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 419 | 40.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,174 | 76.2% | 11.1% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 2,175 | 29.5% | 22.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 13,467 | 75.3% | 7.4% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,246 | 34.8% | 13.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 15,053 | 66.7% | 7.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 830 | 45.9% | 4.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,302 | 68.2% | 10.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 5,138 | 64.6% | 6.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5,783 | 70.8% | 5.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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