Whitman County profile

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

Posted April 2025

Summary

Whitman County, found in the southeast corner of Washington, is a part of the Palouse region — an area of prairie land mainly used for agriculture. The county has over 48,012 residents. The largest demographic are people 20 to 24 years of age with 23.1% share of total population. Colfax is the county seat. Pullman, where Washington State University is located, is the largest city in Whitman County.  

Whitman County is predominantly agricultural, specializing in barley, wheat, dry peas, and lentils. Its largest employer is Washington State University, accounting for 30% of county employment.

Labor supply for the area is around 23,296 workers, with 4.0% out of work or looking for a job. There was an average of 1,192 businesses during 2023 which demand around 19,536 workers.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, headquartered in Pullman, recently announced plans to hire approximately 400 employees. More than half of the Schweitzer job opportunities will be in and around the Pullman area.

Whitman County geographic overview

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

 

Whitman County is located in the southeastern part of Washington. It is not part of a larger metropolitan area but is known for its rich agricultural contributions. The city of Colfax serves as the county seat, while Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, housing Washington State University.

The county spans 2,178 square miles, including 16 square miles of water. Its landscape features rolling hills, fertile farmland, and the scenic Palouse region.

Whitman County was created out of Stevens County in 1871 and is named after Marcus Whitman, an early missionary in the region.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Whitman County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Whitman County employment situation for February 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

  • As of February 2025, Whitman County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.
  • Whitman County has over 21,693 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -6.7% or -1,547 workers from February 2024. Employed workforce decreased by -6.2% or -1,374 workers over the year. Unemployed workers decreased by -14.4% or -173 workers. About 873 people were unemployed and looking for work.
  • The unemployment rate in the county was 4.7% in February 2025, which increased from 3.9% in January 2025. The unemployment rate was 5.2% in February 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

A chart showing the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States, Washington and Whitman County from January 2015 to February 2025.

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

Monthly payroll employment in Whitman County

  • As of February 2025, total nonfarm employment in Whitman County was 22,830 jobs, a decrease of -80 jobs or -0.3% from the previous month and a decrease of -390 jobs or -1.7% from a year ago in February 2024. Private sectors, totaling 10,880 jobs, decreased by -40 jobs or -0.4% from the previous month, and decreased by -160 jobs or -1.4% from a year ago.
  • Goods producing sectors had 3,440 jobs — an increase of 40 jobs or 1.2% from the previous month and a decrease of -70 jobs or -2.0% from a year ago.
    • Mining, logging, and construction had 540 jobs — an increase of 20 jobs or 3.8% from the previous month and a decrease of -30 jobs or -5.3% from a year ago.
    • Manufacturing had 2,910 jobs — an increase of 30 jobs or 1.0% from the previous month and a decrease of -30 jobs or -1.0% from a year ago.
  • Service providing sectors had 19,380 jobs — a decrease of -120 jobs or -0.6% from the previous month and a decrease of -330 jobs or -1.7% from a year ago.
    • Trade, transportation, and utilities decreased by -10 jobs or -0.4% from the previous month and was unchanged from a year ago.
    • Information and financial activities sectors had 630 jobs — an increase of 40 jobs or 6.8% from the previous month and an increase of 20 jobs or 3.3% from a year ago.
    • Professional and business services had 850 jobs — unchanged from the previous month and an increase of 10 jobs or 1.2% from a year ago.
    • Private education and health services had 1,730 jobs — a decrease of -20 jobs or -1.1% from the previous month and a decrease of -20 jobs or -1.1 from a year ago.
    • Leisure and hospitality had 1,650 jobs — a decrease of -90 jobs or -5.2% from the previous month and a decrease of -70 jobs or -4.1% from a year ago.
  • Government services including public educational services had 11,940 jobs — a decrease of -60 jobs or -0.7% from the previous month and a decrease of -290 jobs or -3.1% from a year ago.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whitman County

NAICS Industry Title Feb 2025 (Prelim) Jan 2025 (Revised) Feb 2024 (Revised) Jan 2025 to Feb 2025 Change Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 Change Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 % Change
Total nonfarm 22,830 22,910 23,220 -80 -390 -1.7%
- Total private (total nonfarm less government) 10,880 10,920 11,040 -40 -160 -1.4%
- - Goods-producing 3,440 3,400 3,510 40 -70 -2.0%
- - - - Mining, logging and construction 540 520 570 20 -30 -5.3%
- - - - Manufacturing 2,910 2,880 2,940 30 -30 -1.0%
- - Service-providing 19,380 19,500 19,710 -120 -330 -1.7%
- - - - - Wholesale trade 520 520 530 0 -10 -1.9%
- - - - - Retail trade 1,350 1,360 1,350 -10 0 0.0%
- - - - - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities 370 370 360 0 10 2.8%
- - - - Information 110 110 100 0 10 10.0%
- - - - Financial activities 520 480 510 40 10 2.0%
- - - - Professional and business services 850 850 840 0 10 1.2%
- - - - Private education and health services 1,730 1,750 1,750 -20 -20 -1.1%
- - - - Leisure and hospitality 1,650 1,740 1,720 -90 -70 -4.1%
- - - - Other services 340 350 370 -10 -30 -8.1%
- - Government 11,940 11,990 12,180 -50 -240 -2.0%

Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024updated March 28, 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)

Total covered employment

Employment by industry, Whitman County 2023 annual average

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

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

During 2023, Whitman County’s average annual covered employment was 19,538. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

Given the presence of workers associated with Washington State University, employment in the county is about half private and half government jobs.

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in Whitman County was $60,846 in 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

  • Government (8,004)
  • Health care and social assistance (1,564)
  • Retail trade (1,342)
  • Accommodation and food services (1,697)
  • Construction (618)

Top average annual earnings by sector in 2023:

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services ($85,250)
  • Finance and insurance ($76,596)
  • Wholesale Trade ($71,196)
  • Government ($69,732)
  • Construction ($60,117)

Workforce demographics in Whitman County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25-29 age group at 83.2%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 26.2%.

The male labor force has a slightly higher participation rate (76.1%) compared to the female labor force (71.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 83.8%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 50.6%.

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

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 16 years and over 40,563 62.5% 6.5%
16 to 19 years 5,358 42.8% 26.6%
20 to 24 years 10,848 65.4% 9.6%
25 to 29 years 3,504 83.2% 1.3%
30 to 34 years 3,072 78.7% 0.5%
35 to 44 years 4,717 80.6% 2.9%
45 to 54 years 3,585 81.6% 2.4%
55 to 59 years 1,864 72.6% 3.4%
60 to 64 years 2,159 66.5% 0.7%
65 to 74 years 3,124 26.2% 6.7%
75 years and over 2,332 12.1% 4.6%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
White alone 31,598 63.1% 6.6%
Black or African American alone 728 41.1% 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 333 63.7% 15.1%
Asian alone 3,083 56.8% 9.1%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone 73 50.7% 8.1%
Some other race alone 1,039 72.5% 1.7%
Two or more races 3,709 63.3% 4.7%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 3,134 71.8% 4.1%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 30,483 62.4% 6.6%
Population 20 to 64 years 29,749 73.8% 4.4%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Male 15,437 76.1% 3.7%
Female 14,312 71.2% 5.2%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With own children under 18 3,530 67.6% 2.9%
With own children under 6 only 944 70.2% 2.0%
With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 669 55.5% 1.9%
With own children 6 to 17 only 1,917 70.5% 3.7%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Below poverty level 7,891 53.8% 13.2%
At or above the poverty level 19,659 84.0% 1.2%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With any disability 3,116 53.1% 7.5%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 25 to 64 years 18,901 78.6% 1.9%
Less than high school graduate 654 50.6% 9.4%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 2,495 72.1% 2.0%
Some college or associate's degree 5,857 75.6% 2.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 9,895 83.8% 1.2%

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

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