Posted February 2025
Summary
In Adams County the agricultural industry is an important component of the local economy and labor market. The labor force has 9,934 workers with an unemployment rate of 5.9%. Total nonfarm employment during December 2024 was 6,700. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,962 out of 9,415 total annual average employment. The county has 668 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023.
Geography
Adams County is located in eastern Washington. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, which covers much of north and central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9% during December 2024, down from 7.0% in December 2023.
- The labor force increased in size 999 workers from 8,935 during December 2023 to 9,934 workers during December 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment, Current Employment Statistics
Total nonfarm employment during December 2024 was 6,700, an increase of 80 jobs from December 2023 and an increase of 90 jobs from November 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality (primarily hotels, eating and drinking places, and amusement and recreation) gained 30 jobs over the year and 20 jobs from November 2024.
- Trade, Transportation, and utilities gained 30 jobs over the year and 10 jobs from November 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Adams 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 | 6,700 | 6,610 | 6,620 | 90 | 80 | 1.2% |
| Total Private | 4,880 | 4,800 | 4,810 | 80 | 70 | 1.5% |
| Goods Producing | 1,410 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 10 | 10 | 0.7% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 120 | 130 | 120 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Manufacturing | 1,290 | 1,270 | 1,280 | 20 | 10 | 0.8% |
| Service Providing | 5,290 | 5,210 | 5,220 | 80 | 70 | 1.3% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 1,640 | 1,630 | 1,610 | 10 | 30 | 1.9% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 400 | 400 | 380 | 0 | 20 | 5.3% |
| -------Retail Trade | 720 | 720 | 720 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 520 | 510 | 510 | 10 | 10 | 2.0% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 870 | 830 | 870 | 40 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 530 | 510 | 500 | 20 | 30 | 6.0% |
| ---Government | 1,820 | 1,810 | 1,810 | 10 | 10 | 0.6% |
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 sectors, covered employment
Employment by industry, Adams County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment during 2023 in Adams County was 9,415. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (2,961)
- Local government (1,614)
- Manufacturing (1,264)
- Health services (844)
- Retail trade (730)
Workforce demographics in Adams County
The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023. The labor force participation rate in Adams County for people 16 years and older was 61.5% with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. A reduced cohort, ages 20 to 64, show a 76.2% participation rate and a 3.7% unemployment rate. Within that group, 1,725 are below the poverty level.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Adams County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 14,194 | 61.5% | 4.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,462 | 31.0% | 13.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,400 | 74.6% | 8.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,256 | 67.2% | 1.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,265 | 78.5% | 1.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,407 | 80.6% | 2.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,003 | 83.2% | 3.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,004 | 79.5% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 951 | 57.7% | 11.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,602 | 25.0% | 1.5% |
| 75 years and over | 844 | 5.5% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 7,161 | 55.4% | 6.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 77 | 51.9% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 460 | 85.4% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 129 | 69.8% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 56 | 92.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 3,970 | 65.4% | 2.3% |
| Two or more races | 2,341 | 68.3% | 2.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 8,186 | 67.8% | 3.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 5,415 | 52.2% | 6.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 10,286 | 76.2% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,328 | 82.8% | 3.2% |
| Female | 4,958 | 69.1% | 4.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 2,247 | 67.4% | 0.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 314 | 56.4% | 0.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 773 | 56.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,160 | 77.5% | 0.6% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,725 | 53.8% | 7.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,500 | 81.3% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,058 | 36.8% | 16.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,886 | 76.4% | 2.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 2,891 | 71.1% | 0.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2,652 | 74.1% | 6.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,028 | 78.3% | 2.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,315 | 89.9% | 0.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.