The average employment and unemployment numbers for the prior 3 years make up the list. To qualify as distressed, the 3-year average unemployment rate must be equal to or higher than 5.4%.
Agencies, businesses and local leaders can use the information to focus resources where they’re needed most. You can also use the data to determine eligibility for grants, incentives and programs that support economic recovery and job growth.
Latest report
We create the distressed areas list in cooperation with the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more information about distressed areas, see Chapter 43.168.020 of the Revised Code of Washington on the Washington State Legislature site.
We update the list annually in the spring. Find additional reports in the report library.