Posted February 2025
Summary
Okanogan County’s labor supply is 18,514 workers. Total nonfarm employment in the county was 13,590 for December 2024, with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.4%. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 5,085 out of 17,037 total annual average employment. The county has 1,474 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of people 16 and above is 34,281.
Geography
Okanogan County is in north Washington on the Canadian border east of the midline of the state. The county is the largest of Washington’s counties by land area.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4% during December 2024, 1% below the December 2023 rate of 7.4%.
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The labor force totaled 18,514 workers, a decrease of 11 workers since December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
Total nonfarm employment during December 2024 was 13,590, an increase of 210 jobs from December 2023 and a decrease of 140 jobs from November 2024.
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Retail trade increased 20 jobs from a year ago, and decreased 10 jobs from November 2024.
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Education and health services increased 100 jobs from a year ago and decreased 10 from November 2024.
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Leisure and hospitality increased 30 jobs from a year ago and decreased 30 jobs from November 2024.
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Professional and business services increased 60 jobs from a year ago and decreased 10 jobs from November 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Okanogan County
| NAICS Industry Title | Dec 2024 (Preliminary) | Nov 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2023 (Revised) | Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Nonfarm | 13,590 | 13,730 | 13,380 | -140 | 210 | 1.6% |
| Total Private | 8,450 | 8,500 | 8,240 | -50 | 210 | 2.5% |
| Goods Producing | 1,170 | 1,180 | 1,210 | -10 | -40 | -3.3% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 670 | 680 | 690 | -10 | -20 | -2.9% |
| ---Manufacturing | 500 | 500 | 520 | 0 | -20 | -3.8% |
| Service Providing | 12,420 | 12,550 | 12,170 | -130 | 250 | 2.1% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 2,660 | 2,660 | 2,620 | 0 | 40 | 1.5% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 210 | 200 | 200 | 10 | 10 | 5.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 2,040 | 2,050 | 2,020 | -10 | 20 | 1.0% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 410 | 410 | 380 | 0 | 30 | 7.9% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 680 | 690 | 620 | -10 | 60 | 9.7% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 1,840 | 1,850 | 1,740 | -10 | 100 | 5.7% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 1,360 | 1,390 | 1,330 | -30 | 30 | 2.3% |
| ---Government | 5,140 | 5,230 | 5,140 | -90 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Federal Government | 310 | 340 | 330 | -30 | -20 | -6.1% |
| -------State and Local Government | 4,830 | 4,890 | 4,810 | -60 | 20 | 0.4% |
| -----------State and Local Government Education | 1,820 | 1,810 | 1,800 | 10 | 20 | 1.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Okanogan 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 Okanogan County was 17,037. The average annual wage was $44,955 which was 51.6% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (5,085 jobs)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing and hunting (3,614 jobs)
- Retail trade (2,267 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (1,635 jobs)
- Accommodation and food services (1,138 jobs)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($313.3 million)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing and hunting ($ 111.8 million)
- Retail trade ($81.8 million)
- Health care and social assistance ($78.7 million)
- Accommodation and food services ($28.4 million)
Workforce demographics in Okanogan County
Okanogan County’s 16 and older population was 34,281 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 56.3% with an average unemployment rate of 4.8%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Okanogan County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 34,281 | 56.3% | 4.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,644 | 38.9% | 16.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,017 | 81.0% | 7.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,613 | 77.8% | 4.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,370 | 73.8% | 6.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,964 | 83.7% | 4.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 4,839 | 82.9% | 3.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,742 | 65.9% | 2.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,275 | 47.6% | 5.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,159 | 24.2% | 1.7% |
| 75 years and over | 3,658 | 6.6% | 2.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 24,012 | 51.1% | 3.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 693 | 88.0% | 1.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,800 | 58.3% | 8.0% |
| Asian alone | 181 | 58.0% | 13.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 43 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 2,988 | 78.8% | 8.8% |
| Two or more races | 3,564 | 64.7% | 6.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 5,594 | 75.4% | 5.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 23,381 | 51.1% | 3.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 22,820 | 74.3% | 4.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 11,743 | 80.7% | 5.7% |
| Female | 11,077 | 67.5% | 3.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,204 | 67.3% | 3.8% |
| With own children under 6 only | 780 | 52.2% | 8.8% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,026 | 48.4% | 1.2% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,398 | 80.3% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 4,224 | 53.2% | 12.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 18,455 | 79.6% | 3.5% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,111 | 43.0% | 15.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 20,803 | 73.6% | 4.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,338 | 69.9% | 5.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,336 | 71.2% | 5.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,665 | 73.2% | 4.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,464 | 80.3% | 2.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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