Posted December 2025
September 2025 highlights
Compared to August 2025, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.1% (397 unemployed individuals).
Employers reported 20 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 6,250) in Klickitat County.
Summary
Klickitat County continues to reflect its unique economic geography, with three distinct regions contributing to its overall performance. The western third remains anchored by unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) production, wood products and orchard-based fruit packing. The eastern third is dominated by vegetable farming and the Roosevelt Regional Landfill, while the central third, home to Goldendale and cultural assets like the Maryhill Museum, supports tourism, recreation and small-scale service industries. Vineyards and wineries have continued to expand countywide, reinforcing Klickitat’s growing role in Washington’s wine economy.
As of September 2025, Klickitat County’s labor force numbered 9,563, down from the previous year. Total nonfarm employment declined by 0.8% year-over-year, indicating modest contraction in the job market. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in mid-2025. Despite these fluctuations, Klickitat County is expected to maintain a gradual pace of economic diversification. Challenges ahead include securing funding for modernization of the Columbia River interstate bridge and expanding broadband infrastructure — both critical to enhancing regional connectivity and supporting future growth.
Klickitat County geographic overview
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 September 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
- Labor force (9,584 in total) increased slightly from August to September 2025 (+26), with 84 more people employed.
- Unemployment fell by 58 people, lowering the unemployment rate from 4.8% to 4.1%.
- Compared to September 2024, the labor force is down 1.4% and employment is down 1.7%, showing a small year‑over‑year decline.
- Unemployment is up by 23 people from last year, nudging the unemployment rate from 3.8% to 4.1%.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly payroll employment in Klickitat County
Nonfarm employment, not seasonally adjusted:
In September 2025, this area has 6,250 total nonfarm jobs.
One month earlier, in August 2025, there were 20 fewer jobs (6,230 in total).
Compared to August 2025, in September there are:
- Ten more manufacturing jobs, continuing steady growth in goods‑producing industries.
- Ten more jobs each in wholesale trade and information, both showing modest gains.
- Forty fewer jobs in professional and business services, the largest private‑sector decline.
One year ago, in September 2024, there were 110 more jobs (6,360 in total).
Compared to September 2024, in September 2025 there are:
- Thirty more (2.2%) goods‑producing jobs, driven by gains in construction (7.4% and manufacturing (2.8%).
- Forty fewer (2.8%) jobs in professional and business services, the largest private industry contributor to the overall decline.
- Twenty fewer (4.4%) jobs in retail trade, showing pre-holiday season shopping cooling. Ten fewer (6.3%) jobs in financial activities and 30 fewer (5.8%) jobs in leisure and hospitality.
- Ten more jobs each in wholesale trade (10.0%) and information services (20.0%), showing smaller movements towards growth.
- Thirty more (6.7%) jobs in private education and health services, continuing solid growth.
- Sixty fewer (3.2%) government jobs, a notable year‑over‑year decrease.
- Overall employment is down 1.7% from last year
- Ten fewer jobs in leisure and hospitality, reflecting seasonal cooling.
- Government employment increased by 60, the single largest gain across all industries.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Klickitat 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 | 6,250 | 6,230 | 6,360 | 20 | -110 | -1.7% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 4,450 | 4,500 | 4,500 | -50 | -50 | -1.1% |
| Goods-producing | 1,420 | 1,430 | 1,390 | -10 | 30 | 2.2% |
| - Mining and logging | 40 | 40 | 60 | 0 | -20 | -33.3% |
| - Construction | 290 | 310 | 270 | -20 | 20 | 7.4% |
| - Manufacturing | 1,090 | 1,080 | 1,060 | 10 | 30 | 2.8% |
| Service-providing | 4,830 | 4,800 | 4,970 | 30 | -140 | -2.8% |
| - Wholesale trade | 110 | 100 | 100 | 10 | 10 | 10.0% |
| - Retail trade | 430 | 430 | 450 | 0 | -20 | -4.4% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 220 | 220 | 220 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 60 | 50 | 50 | 10 | 10 | 20.0% |
| - Financial activities | 150 | 150 | 160 | 0 | -10 | -6.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 720 | 760 | 760 | -40 | -40 | -5.3% |
| - Private education and health services | 480 | 480 | 450 | 0 | 30 | 6.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 490 | 500 | 520 | -10 | -30 | -5.8% |
| - Other services | 370 | 370 | 400 | 0 | -30 | -7.5% |
| - Government | 1,800 | 1,740 | 1,860 | 60 | -60 | -3.2% |
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 Klickitat County
In 2024, Klickitat County’s total covered employment reflected a dynamic and varied economic landscape. The county’s total payroll wages paid reached $467.45 million, with an average annual employment at over7,200 and an average annual wage of $64,900.
The government sector led in employment, accounting for 1,776 jobs or 24.7% of the county’s workforce. Agriculture followed with 1,231 jobs (17.1%), while manufacturing contributed 1,058 jobs (14.7%), underscoring the county’s strong ties to both public service and production industries.
Retail trade with 444 jobs, health care and social assistance (389 jobs), and accommodation and food services (375 jobs) also played notable roles in the employment landscape, though these sectors tended to offer lower average wages.
In terms of earnings, the professional, scientific, and technical services sector stood out with the highest average annual wage at $170,579, followed by utilities ($146,304) and information services ($117,885). Manufacturing offered competitive wages at $82,640, while other services (excluding public administration) and wholesale trade provided average wages of $76,974 and $71,900, respectively.
Employment by industry, Klickitat County 2024 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2024:
-
Government (1,776 jobs or 24.7% employment share)
-
Agriculture (1,231 jobs or 17.1% employment share)
-
Manufacturing (1,058 jobs or 14.7% employment share)
-
Retail trade (444 jobs or 6.2% employment share)
-
Health care and social assistance (389 jobs or 5.5% employment share)
-
Accommodation and food services (375 jobs or 5.2% employment share)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The 2024 average annual wage in Klickitat County for all industries was $64,978. Total annual payroll was $467.45 million.
Top sectors in terms of wages in 2024:
-
Professional, scientific and technical services ($170,579)
-
Utilities ($146,304)
-
Information ($117,885)
-
Manufacturing ($82,640)
-
Other services, except public administration ($76,974)
-
Wholesale trade ($71,900)
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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