Posted May 2025
April 2025 Highlights
In April, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 8.3% to 6.6%. Total nonfarm employment increased by 10 jobs in Ferry County over the past year.
Summary
With a population of 7,497 people, Ferry County has one of the state’s smallest labor markets. The largest demographic is people aged 65 to 74 years with 20.0% of total population share. There are around 245 firms in the county. About half of the 1,720 jobs in the labor market are private and half are government jobs. In the sparsely populated and very rugged mountainous regions of Ferry County, unemployment is typically higher than most other counties in the state. Many of the county’s jobs are in mining and logging. There are around 2,303 workers in the labor market. Currently Ferry County has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 6.6% in April 2025.
Ferry County geographic overview
Ferry County is located in the northeastern part of Washington. It is known for its rugged natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Republic serves as the county seat and is the largest city in Ferry County.
The county spans 2,257 square miles, including 24 square miles of water. Its landscape features forests, mountains, and several lakes and rivers.
Ferry County was created out of Stevens County in 1899 and is named after Elisha P. Ferry, the first governor of Washington.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Ferry County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Ferry County employment situation for April 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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Ferry County has 2,303 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 94 workers (3.9%) from April 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 63 workers (2.9%) over the year, and unemployed workers decreased by 31 workers (16.9%) over the same period. About 152 people were unemployed and looking for work in April 2025.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 6.6% in April 2025, which decreased from 8.3% in March 2025 and from 7.6% in April 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Ferry County
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As of April 2025, total nonfarm employment in Ferry County was 1,720 jobs. Total nonfarm employment increased by 30 jobs in the month, and by 10 jobs over the past year. Total private sector employment accounts for 850 jobs in Ferry County, which increased by 20 jobs in the month and by 30 jobs over the past year.
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Goods producing sectors remained unchanged in the month and increased by 20 jobs in the past year.
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The construction industry accounts for 90 jobs in the county, which is an increase of 10 jobs in the past year.
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Manufacturing remained unchanged in the month and year at 100 jobs.
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Service providing sectors, with 1,500 jobs, increased by 30 in the month.
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Trade, transportation, and utilities employment increased by 20 jobs in the past month to 180.
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Professional and business services remained unchanged at 70 jobs.
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Private education and health services remained unchanged at 110 jobs.
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Leisure and hospitality remained unchanged in the past month, and increased by 10 jobs in the past year, and now stands at 180 jobs.
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Government services (including public educational services) remained unchanged in the past month with a total of 860 jobs and recorded a decrease of 40 jobs in the past year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Ferry County
| NAICS Industry Title | Apr 2025 (Prelim) | Mar 2025 (Revised) | Apr 2024 (Revised) | Mar 2025 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 1,720 | 1,690 | 1,710 | 30 | 10 | 0.6% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 850 | 830 | 820 | 20 | 30 | 3.7% |
| Goods-producing | 220 | 220 | 200 | 0 | 20 | 10.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 90 | 90 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 1,500 | 1,470 | 1,510 | 30 | -10 | -0.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 160 | 140 | 140 | 20 | 20 | 14.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 70 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 180 | 180 | 170 | 0 | 10 | 5.9% |
| - Other services | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 860 | 860 | 900 | 0 | -40 | -4.4% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated May 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
Employment by industry, Ferry County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Ferry County was 1,709 during 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
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 Ferry County was $48,274 in 2023.
Top five sectors in terms of employment during 2023:
- Government (860)
- Other (691)
- Accommodation and food services (149)
- Retail trade (142)
- Construction (92)
Top five sectors in terms of earnings during 2023:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($58,096)
- Government ($57,218)
- Information ($56,811)
- Other ($55,378)
- Transportation and warehousing ($46,016)
Workforce demographics is Ferry County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25-29 age group at 74.3%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 22.5%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (62.5%) compared to female workers (59.8%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 78.1%, while those with a high school diploma have the lowest at 61.4%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for mor quick facts about Ferry County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 6,204 | 44.4% | 10.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 236 | 36.0% | 38.8% |
| 20 to 24 years | 305 | 58.7% | 27.9% |
| 25 to 29 years | 261 | 74.3% | 2.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 281 | 46.3% | 6.2% |
| 35 to 44 years | 769 | 72.7% | 7.3% |
| 45 to 54 years | 861 | 69.8% | 4.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 565 | 57.5% | 11.7% |
| 60 to 64 years | 717 | 43.4% | 5.1% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,465 | 22.5% | 13.3% |
| 75 years and over | 744 | 5.4% | 37.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 4,751 | 40.8% | 8.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 12 | 41.7% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 757 | 58.9% | 12.3% |
| Asian alone | 19 | 15.8% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 123 | 59.3% | 50.7% |
| Some other race alone | 49 | 87.8% | 37.2% |
| Two or more races | 493 | 50.1% | 6.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 179 | 49.2% | 59.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 4,669 | 40.3% | 6.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 3,759 | 61.2% | 8.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,847 | 62.5% | 8.5% |
| Female | 1,912 | 59.8% | 7.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 349 | 61.6% | 10.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 95 | 52.6% | 36.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 66 | 71.2% | 10.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 188 | 62.8% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 568 | 28.5% | 25.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 3,147 | 67.9% | 6.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 827 | 35.6% | 23.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 3,454 | 61.4% | 6.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 259 | 38.2% | 5.1% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,158 | 61.7% | 12.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 1,453 | 58.6% | 4.5% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 584 | 78.1% | 1.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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