July 2025 highlights
In July, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3%, which increased from 3.4% in July 2025. Total nonfarm employment increased by 1.8% compared to June 2025.
Summary
Kittitas County’s economy is diverse, with key contributions from government, education, retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. The county is known for its agricultural heritage, though government employment remains the largest sector, with an annual average of 4,557 jobs.
Total covered employment in Kittitas County was approximately 16,780 jobs in 2023. The annual average unemployment rate was around 5.1% in 2023, with a slight decline to 4.0% in early 2025. Retail trade and leisure and hospitality have shown growth, while government employment has seen some declines.
Workforce development initiatives focus on skill enhancement, particularly in education and retail, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Efforts to diversify the economy include supporting small businesses and promoting tourism, leveraging the county’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Kittitas County’s 16-and-older population was 37,765 in 2023.
Geography
Kittitas County is in the center of the state, 107 miles east of Seattle. It is nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Columbia River to the east. With 2,297.3 square miles, it is the eighth largest county in Washington by land area.
Employment situation for July 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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Kittitas County total labor force, employment and unemployment decreased from July 2024 to July 2025.
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Kittitas County has over 21,305 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 353 workers (1.6%) from July 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 252 workers (1.2%) and unemployed workers decreased by 101 workers (10.0%). About 910 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.3% in July 2025, which increased from 3.4% in June 2025 and recorded a decrease from 4.7% in July 2024.
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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Kittitas County had total nonfarm employment of 17,130 jobs with 300 new jobs (1.8%) compared to July 2024. The private sector increased by 320 jobs (2.8%), while government employment decreased by 20 jobs (0.4%) year-over-year.
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Industries with growth include construction with a 140 jobs increase (9.9%), followed by retail trade, which increased by 70 jobs (3.8%). Financial activities and professional and business services each increased by 60 jobs (15.4% and 7.3%, respectively). Private education and health services increased by 30 jobs (1.8%), followed by other services with 10 new jobs (2.2%).
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Industries facing declines include leisure and hospitality, which dropped by 10 jobs (0.3%). Wholesale trade services declined by 20 jobs (3.6%). Mining, logging lost 20 jobs (50.0%), and manufacturing lost 10 Jobs (1.5%).
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Government employment, with a total of 5,440 jobs, decreased over-the-year, with federal positions decreasing by 10 jobs (5.0%) and state government declining by 210 jobs (8.2%). Local government added 190 jobs (7.0%).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas 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 | 17,130 | 17,890 | 16,830 | -760 | 300 | 1.8% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 11,680 | 11,410 | 11,360 | 270 | 320 | 2.8% |
| Goods-producing | 2,210 | 2,130 | 2,090 | 80 | 120 | 5.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 40 | 0 | -20 | -50.0% |
| - Construction | 1,550 | 1,500 | 1,410 | 50 | 140 | 9.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 640 | 620 | 650 | 20 | -10 | -1.5% |
| Service-providing | 14,920 | 15,760 | 14,730 | -840 | 190 | 1.3% |
| - Wholesale trade | 530 | 520 | 550 | 10 | -20 | -3.6% |
| - Retail trade | 1,900 | 1,840 | 1,830 | 60 | 70 | 3.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 300 | 290 | 290 | 10 | 10 | 3.4% |
| - Information | 150 | 160 | 160 | -10 | -10 | -6.3% |
| - Financial activities | 450 | 450 | 390 | 0 | 60 | 15.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 880 | 830 | 820 | 50 | 60 | 7.3% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,730 | 1,690 | 1,700 | 40 | 30 | 1.8% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,070 | 3,040 | 3,080 | 30 | -10 | -0.3% |
| - Other services | 460 | 440 | 450 | 20 | 10 | 2.2% |
| - Government | 5,440 | 6,490 | 5,460 | -1,050 | -20 | -0.4% |
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, Kittitas County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Covered employment, or Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data, include agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals whose employees are covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Kittitas County was 16,780. The average annual wage was $51,268 which was 58.9% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (4,557 jobs)
- Accommodation and food services (2,498 jobs)
- Retail trade (1,871 jobs)
- Construction (1,355 jobs)
- State government (1,777 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (1,346)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($315.3 million)
- Construction ($90.5 million)
- Accommodation and food services ($74.3 million)
- Retail trade ($65.8 million)
- Health care and social assistance ($60.3 million)
Workforce demographics in Kittitas County
Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023. The labor force participation rate in Kittitas County was 61.4% with an average unemployment rate of 5.1%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Kittitas County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 37,765 | 61.4% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,452 | 50.6% | 23.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,037 | 73.2% | 8.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,041 | 88.0% | 5.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,610 | 85.1% | 1.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,899 | 78.3% | 2.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,039 | 81.3% | 0.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,510 | 74.1% | 3.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,486 | 48.5% | 3.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,768 | 26.4% | 2.4% |
| 75 years and over | 2,923 | 3.6% | 9.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 31,768 | 60.1% | 4.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 472 | 68.0% | 9.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 185 | 55.1% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 656 | 56.3% | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 48 | 56.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,946 | 72.9% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 2,690 | 68.4% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,398 | 72.0% | 5.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 30,812 | 60.2% | 4.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 26,622 | 75.4% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 13,518 | 79.3% | 4.4% |
| Female | 13,104 | 71.3% | 2.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 3,954 | 68.8% | 0.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 784 | 73.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 489 | 58.9% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,681 | 69.4% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,953 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 22,078 | 81.8% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,047 | 46.6% | 10.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,585 | 75.9% | 2.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,654 | 57.4% | 5.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 5,804 | 74.0% | 2.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,167 | 70.6% | 2.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7,960 | 85.2% | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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