Posted February 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
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 December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of December 2024, 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.
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Whitman County has over 21,826 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -5.9% or -1,375 workers from December 2023. Employed workforce deceased -5.3% or -1,164 workers from December 2023 to December 2024. Unemployed workers decreased by -18.8% or -211 workers. About 914 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.2% in December 2024, which increased from 3.9% in November 2024 and unemployment rate decreased from 4.8% in December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly payroll employment in Whitman County
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Total nonfarm employment in Whitman County was 22,350 jobs, recording decrease of -260 jobs or -1.1% over-the-month and recording decrease of -810 jobs or -3.5% from last December 2023.
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Private sectors, totaling 10,950 jobs, increased by 40 jobs or 0.4% over-the-month, and recorded decrease of -400 jobs or -3.5% from December 2023 to December 2024.
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Goods producing sectors, with 3,430 jobs, increased by 20 jobs or 0.6% in over-the-month change and recording decrease by -270 jobs or -7.3% from December 2023. Mining, logging, and construction industry recorded an increase of 10 jobs or 1.6% over-the-month and decreased by -50 jobs or -7.5% in over-the-year change. Manufacturing, totaling 2,810 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 0.4% over-the-month and decreased by -220 jobs or -7.3% in over-the-year change.
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Service providing sectors, with total of 18,920 jobs, decreased by -280 jobs or -1.5% from November to December and recorded decreased of -540 jobs or -2.8% from December 2023. Trade, transportation, and utilities totaling 2,240 jobs, decreased by -10 jobs or -0.4% in over-the-month change and recording -70 jobs or -3.0% loss in over-the-year change. Information and financial activities held total of 590 jobs and remained unchanged over-the-month and recorded decrease of -20 jobs or -3.3% over-the-year. Professional and business services had total to 860 jobs in the county with no changes in jobs over-the-month and with 30 jobs or 3.6% increase over-the-year.
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Private education and health services industry had total of 1,670 jobs in Whitman County, increased by 10 jobs or 0.6% over-the-month and remained unchanged over-the-year. Leisure and hospitality sector with total of 1,790 jobs, increased by 30 jobs or 1.7% in over-the-month change and remained unchanged over-the-year.
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Government services including public educational services totaled 11,400 decreased over-the-month by -300 jobs or -2.6% and over-the-year decreased by -410 jobs or -3.5% from December 2023.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whitman 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 | 22,350 | 22,610 | 23,160 | -260 | -810 | -3.5% |
| Total Private | 10,950 | 10,910 | 11,350 | 40 | -400 | -3.5% |
| Goods Producing | 3,430 | 3,410 | 3,700 | 20 | -270 | -7.3% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 620 | 610 | 670 | 10 | -50 | -7.5% |
| ---Manufacturing | 2,810 | 2,800 | 3,030 | 10 | -220 | -7.3% |
| Service Providing | 18,920 | 19,200 | 19,460 | -280 | -540 | -2.8% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 2,240 | 2,250 | 2,310 | -10 | -70 | -3.0% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 520 | 510 | 520 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 1,330 | 1,360 | 1,410 | -30 | -80 | -5.7% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 390 | 380 | 380 | 10 | 10 | 2.6% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 590 | 590 | 610 | 0 | -20 | -3.3% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 860 | 860 | 830 | 0 | 30 | 3.6% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 1,670 | 1,660 | 1,670 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 1,790 | 1,760 | 1,820 | 30 | -30 | -1.6% |
| ---Government | 11,400 | 11,700 | 11,810 | -300 | -410 | -3.5% |
| -------Federal Government | 230 | 220 | 220 | 10 | 10 | 4.5% |
| -------State and Local Government | 11,170 | 11,480 | 11,590 | -310 | -420 | -3.6% |
| -----------State and Local Government Education | 9,580 | 9,880 | 9,960 | -300 | -380 | -3.8% |
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)
Total covered employment
Employment by industry, Whitman County 2023 annual average
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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