Skamania County profile

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

Posted July 2025

June 2025 highlights

In June, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.4% to 3.6% and total nonfarm employment decreased by 3.0% over the year.

Summary

Skamania County experienced significant economic shifts from 2019 to 2023. The transition from a timber-reliant economy to one focused on tourism, which began decades prior, continued to influence the county's economic landscape.

Average annual employment was 2,535 with total payroll of $128.1 million. The tourism sector, a significant part of Skamania County’s economy, has been gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial months of the pandemic saw a sharp decline in employment, but 2021 and 2023 marked the beginning of a slow but steady recovery by adding a significant number of jobs.

As of the latest data available in 2023, the unemployment rate in Skamania County has stabilized, reflecting the broader economic recovery. The county’s average 4.8% unemployment rate for 2023 has been trending downward, aligning with state and national trends.

Significant projects include the Goldendale Energy Storage Project, Port of Skamania’s Cascades Business Park development, and Skamania PUD’s water system upgrades.

Skamania County geographic overview

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

Skamania County is in the southwestern part of Washington. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area. The town of Stevenson is the county seat. Carson is the largest community in the county. Skamania County’s population was 12,036 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 12,460, which is 3.5% growth from the 2020 census.

The county covers 1,683 square miles, including 28 square miles of water. It features a mix of forested areas and rugged terrain marked by rivers and mountains.

Skamania County was created out of Clark County in 1854 and derives its name from a Chinook word meaning swift waters.

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

Skamania County employment situation for June 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

  • Skamania County total labor force, employment and unemployment decreased from June 2024 to June 2025.
  • As of June 2025, Skamania County has over 5,830 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 194 workers (3.2%) from June 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 185 workers (3.2%) and unemployed workers decreased by 9 workers (4.1%). About 210 people were unemployed and looking for work.
  • The unemployment rate in the county was 3.6% in June 2025, which decreased from 4.4% in May 2025 and remained the same as 3.6% in June 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Skamania unemployment rate chart June 2025

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

Monthly payroll employment in Skamania County

  • Overall job trends show that Skamania County experienced a decline in employment, losing 70 jobs (3.0%) compared to June 2024, with total payroll employment at 2,280. The private sector contracted by 60 jobs (3.6%), while government employment declined by 10 jobs (1.5%) over the year.
  • Industries with growth include construction, which added 10 jobs (14.3%). Trade, transportation and utilities expanded by 3.7%, with retail trade increasing 5.3%. Professional and business services experienced strong growth, rising 9.1% from last June. Local government education grew by 5.0%, adding 10 jobs.
  • Industries facing declines include manufacturing, which dropped by 10 jobs (3.1%), including durable goods (down 4.3%) and nondurable goods (down 11.1%). Leisure and hospitality fell 7.6%, primarily in accommodation and food services (down 7.9%). Private education and health services declined by 10.0%. Financial activities dropped 20.0%, and other services fell 16.7%.
  • Government employment declined by 10 jobs (1.5%), though federal and state government positions remained unchanged. Local government employment fell by 10 jobs (1.8%), partially offset by gains in local education.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skamania County

NAICS Industry Title Jun 2025 (Prelim) May 2025 (Revised) Jun 2024 (Revised) May 2025 to Jun 2025 Change Jun 2024 to Jun 2025 Change Jun 2024 to Jun 2025 % Change
Total nonfarm 2,280 2,270 2,350 10 -70 -3.0%
Total private (total nonfarm less government) 1,610 1,600 1,670 10 -60 -3.6%
Goods-producing 400 400 410 0 -10 -2.4%
- Mining and logging 20 20 20 0 0 0.0%
- Construction 80 80 70 0 10 14.3%
- Manufacturing 310 310 320 0 -10 -3.1%
Service-providing 1,880 1,870 1,950 10 -70 -3.6%
- Wholesale trade 40 40 40 0 0 0.0%
- Retail trade 200 180 190 20 10 5.3%
- Transportation, warehousing, and utilities 40 40 40 0 0 0.0%
- Information 10 10 10 0 0 0.0%
- Financial activities 40 40 50 0 -10 -20.0%
- Professional and business services 120 120 110 0 10 9.1%
- Private education and health services 90 90 100 0 -10 -10.0%
- Leisure and hospitality 610 610 660 0 -50 -7.6%
- Other services 50 50 60 0 -10 -16.7%
- Government 670 670 680 0 -10 -1.5%

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024updated July 16, 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 Skamania County

In 2023, Skamania County wages totaled more than $128 million with an average annual wage of $50,470. Average annual covered employment was 2,537. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

The construction sector employed 67 individuals with an average wage of $67,413. Manufacturing had 321 employees earning an average of $39,890. Wholesale trade and professional services offered the highest wages, at $112,650 and $132,973 respectively, though they employed fewer people.

The accommodation and food services sector was a major employer, with 533 employees earning an average of $32,486. Government employment was substantial, with 626 employees and an average wage of $63,135.

Overall, Skamania County’s employment trends reflect a diverse economy with strong contributions from construction, manufacturing, and government sectors, alongside high-wage professional services.

Employment by industry, Skamania County 2023 annual average

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

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

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

  • Government (626)
  • Accommodation and food services (533)
  • Manufacturing (321)
  • Retail trade (171)
  • Health care and social assistance (103)
  • Construction (67)

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The 2023 average annual wage in Skamania County for all industries was $50,470. Total payroll was $128 million.

Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services ($132,973)
  • Wholesale trade ($112,650)
  • Construction ($67,413)
  • Government ($63,135)
  • Manufacturing ($39,890)

Workforce demographics in Skamania County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 30 to 34 years age group at 90.3%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 26.5%. Participation rate for prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 75.1%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (81.0%) compared to female workers (69.1%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 81.6%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 52.8%.

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

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 16 years and over 10,439 58.4% 5.7%
16 to 19 years 515 57.1% 16.0%
20 to 24 years 476 88.4% 23.0%
25 to 29 years 547 83.0% 8.1%
30 to 34 years 701 90.3% 0.3%
35 to 44 years 1,459 79.6% 4.9%
45 to 54 years 1,713 86.2% 3.8%
55 to 59 years 922 63.1% 8.6%
60 to 64 years 1,234 46.3% 0.0%
65 to 74 years 1,825 26.5% 0.4%
75 years and over 1,047 1.8% 0.0%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
White alone 9,150 57.3% 5.1%
Black or African American alone 34 38.2% 0.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 146 52.1% 2.6%
Asian alone 142 81.7% 7.8%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone 20 55.0% 0.0%
Some other race alone 332 81.6% 2.2%
Two or more races 615 60.0% 16.8%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 613 84.0% 7.8%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 8,842 56.4% 5.1%
Population 20 to 64 years 7,052 75.1% 5.6%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Male 3,574 81.0% 7.8%
Female 3,478 69.1% 3.1%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With own children under 18 872 74.9% 4.0%
With own children under 6 only 181 84.5% 0.0%
With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 177 62.1% 7.3%
With own children 6 to 17 only 514 75.9% 4.6%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Below poverty level 640 38.6% 19.4%
At or above the poverty level 6,370 79.3% 5.0%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With any disability 726 41.5% 1.0%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 25 to 64 years 6,576 74.2% 4.1%
Less than high school graduate 468 52.8% 8.9%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 1,702 78.2% 4.4%
Some college or associate's degree 2,427 69.5% 3.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher 1,979 81.6% 4.0%

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

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