Klickitat County profile

Learn about Klickitat County's unique labor market information and more.

Posted April 2025

March 2025 Highlights

In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 6.0% to 5.1% and total nonfarm employment increased by 2.3% over-the-year.

Summary

Klickitat County has three distinct economic regions. The western third of the county relies on unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) production, wood products, and orchards and fruit packing. The eastern third is dominated by vegetable farming, as well as the Roosevelt Regional Landfill. The central third boasts the county seat, Goldendale, the Maryhill Museum, windsurfing and kite boarding on the Columbia River, as well as the now-shuttered aluminum smelter. Vineyards and wineries have been expanding across the county.

Job growth in Klickitat County has been highly dependent on manufacturing and specifically the drone industry. Nonmanufacturing employment was growing until the COVID-19 pandemic, which lead to layoffs in leisure and hospitality and K-12 education. Drones will continue to play an important role in Klickitat and in the Columbia Gorge, along with agriculture, wood products, and tourism and recreation.

The county will likely continue to diversify at a modest pace. Important challenges for the future include securing funding for modernizing the interstate bridge across the Columbia River and expanding broadband access.

Klickitat County geographic overview

A dark blue map of Washington state with Klickitat County highlighted in orange.

 

Klickitat County is in the south-central part of Washington. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area. The city of Goldendale is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Klickitat County’s population was 22,735 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 23,271, which is 2.4% growth from the 2020 census.

The county covers 1,904 square miles, including 33 square miles of water. It features a mix of forested areas and rugged terrain marked by rivers and mountains.

Klickitat County was created out of Walla Walla County in 1859 and derives its name from the Klickitat tribe.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Klickitat County is part of Area 9, the South-Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Klickitat County employment situation for March 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

  • As of March 2025, Klickitat County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.

  • Klickitat County has over 9,130 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 2.9% or 276 workers from March 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 2.0% or 176 workers over-the-year. Unemployed workers decreased by 17.7% or 100 workers. About 466 people were unemployed and looking for work.

  • The unemployment rate in the county was 5.1% in March 2025, which decreased from 6.8% in February 2025 and from 6.0% in March 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

A chart showing the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States, Washington and Klickitat County from January 2014 to March 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics

Monthly payroll employment in Klickitat County

  • As of March 2024, total nonfarm employment in Klickitat County was at 6,200 jobs. Total nonfarm employment increased by 70 jobs or 1.1%, over-the-month, while recording an increase of 110 jobs or 1.8%, year-over-year. Private sectors increased by 80 jobs or 1.9%, over-the-month and showed an increase of 100 jobs or 2.3%, over-the-year.
  • Goods producing sectors, with 1,400 jobs, increased by 20 jobs or 1.4% over-the-month and increased by 20 jobs or 1.4%, over-the-year.
    • Mining, logging, and construction increased by 10 jobs or 3.3% over-the-month and remained unchanged over-the-year.
    • Manufacturing increased by 10 jobs or 0.9% over-the-month and increased by 20 jobs or 1.9%, over-the-year.
  • Service providing sectors, with 4,800 jobs, increased by 50 jobs or 1.1%, over-the-month, and recorded an increase of 90 jobs or 1.9%, over-the-year.
    • Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 800 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 1.3% over-the-month and increased by 10 jobs or 1.3%, over-the-year.
    • Information and financial activities, with a total of 200 jobs, remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year.
    • Professional and business services industry, with 640 jobs, remained unchanged over-the-month and increased by 10 jobs or 1.6%, over-the-year.
    • Private education and health care services, with 450 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 2.3% over-the-month and increased by 20 jobs or 4.7% over-the-year.
    • Leisure and hospitality industry, with a total of 480 jobs, increased by 50 jobs or 11.6% over-the-month and added 30 jobs or 6.7% over-the-year.
  • Government services, with 1,840 jobs (including public educational services), remained unchanged over-the-month, and increased by 20 jobs or 1.1%, over-the-year.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Klickitat County

NAICS Industry Title Mar 2025 (Prelim) Feb 2025 (Revised) Mar 2024 (Revised) Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change
Total nonfarm 6,200 6,130 6,090 70 110 1.8%
Total private (total nonfarm less government) 4,360 4,280 4,260 80 100 2.3%
Goods-producing 1,400 1,380 1,380 20 20 1.4%
- Mining and logging 50 50 50 0 0 0.0%
- Construction 260 250 250 0 0 0.0%
- Manufacturing 1,090 1,080 1,070 10 0 0.0%
Service-providing 4,800 4,750 4,710 50 90 1.9%
- Wholesale trade 130 120 130 10 0 0.0%
- Retail trade 440 440 440 0 0 0.0%
- Transportation, warehousing, and utilities 230 230 220 0 10 4.5%
- Information 60 60 60 0 0 0.0%
- Financial activities 140 140 140 0 0 0.0%
- Professional and business services 640 640 630 0 10 1.6%
- Private education and health services 450 440 430 10 20 4.7%
- Leisure and hospitality 480 430 450 50 30 6.7%
- Other services 410 410 380 0 30 7.9%
- Government 1,840 1,840 1,820 0 20 1.1%

Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024updated April 17, 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 Klickitat County

In 2023, Klickitat County wages totaled more than $420 million with an average annual wage of $60,145. Average annual covered employment was 6,984. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

The agriculture sector was significant, employing 874 individuals with an average wage of $47,780. Utilities stood out with the highest average wage of $136,177 for 56 employees. Manufacturing was a major contributor, with 1,206 employees earning an average of $82,543.

Government employment was substantial, with 1,761 employees and an average wage of $61,179. Wholesale trade and professional services also played key roles, offering competitive wages. Retail trade, while employing 449 individuals, had a lower average wage of $34,398.

The data industry strong contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and government sectors, with utilities offering the highest wages. Overall, Klickitat County’s employment trends reflect a balanced mix of traditional and service-oriented industries.

Employment by industry, Klickitat County 2023 annual average

A bar graph showing the 2023 annual average industry employment in Klickitat County.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

  • Government (1,761)
  • Manufacturing (1,206)
  • Agriculture (874)
  • Health care and social assistance (389)
  • Accommodation and food services (360)

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The 2023 average annual wage in Klickitat County for all industries was $60,145. Total annual payroll was $420 million.

Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

  • Utilities ($136,177)
  • Information ($125,558)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services ($86,067)
  • Manufacturing ($82,543)
  • Other services, except public administration ($70,914)
  • Wholesale trade ($66,260)

Workforce demographics in Klickitat County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 20-24 age group at 82.1%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 22.2%. Participation rate for prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 72.3%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (77.9%) compared to female workers (66.4%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 75.1%, while those with a high school diploma have the lowest at 72.2%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Klickitat County.

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 16 years and over 19,418 54.3% 1.6%
16 to 19 years 797 23.8% 1.0%
20 to 24 years 1,198 82.1% 9.4%
25 to 29 years 1,176 79.9% 12.3%
30 to 34 years 1,307 67.7% 4.3%
35 to 44 years 2,878 75.4% 3.2%
45 to 54 years 2,791 78.6% 2.0%
55 to 59 years 1,594 77.4% 11.9%
60 to 64 years 1,929 46.7% 0.0%
65 to 74 years 3,679 22.2% 0.0%
75 years and over 2,069 10.6% 37.5%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
White alone 16,674 52.0% 4.8%
Black or African American alone 117 79.5% 20.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 224 38.4% 55.8%
Asian alone 191 34.6% 0.0%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone 82 35.4% 0.0%
Some other race alone 764 87.7% 0.0%
Two or more races 1,366 67.7% 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 2,184 78.4% 7.1%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 15,755 50.8% 3.9%
Population 20 to 64 years 12,873 72.3% 5.4%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Male 6,603 77.9% 5.1%
Female 6,270 66.4% 5.8%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With own children under 18 1,840 60.3% 8.5%
With own children under 6 only 499 56.7% 0.0%
With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 324 62.7% 28.1%
With own children 6 to 17 only 1,017 61.3% 5.9%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Below poverty level 1,945 42.7% 34.1%
At or above the poverty level 10,904 77.8% 2.6%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With any disability 1,827 49.1% 8.6%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 25 to 64 years 11,675 71.3% 5.9%
Less than high school graduate 1,293 72.2% 7.9%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 3,091 69.4% 12.8%
Some college or associate's degree 3,426 68.4% 5.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher 3,865 75.1% 1.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status

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