- Posted February 2025
Summary
Nonfarm employment totaled 92,130 in Jefferson County in December 2024 (preliminary) — up 110 from November 2024 and up 140 from December 2023.
In the month from November 2024 to December 2024, the largest sector increase was in leisure and hospitality which gained 50. Education and health services gained 20, professional and business services gained 10, and information and financial activities gained 10.
In the year from December 2023 to December 2024, government employment gained 110 and leisure and hospitality gained 50. Education and health services lost 60 and manufacturing lost 30.
The preliminary unemployment rate in Jefferson County was 5.7% in December 2024 — up slightly from the November rate of 5.5%. The unemployment rate was 5.7% in December 2023.
Geography
Jefferson County is located on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington state. It is nestled between the Admiralty Inlet and Clallam, Mason, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the west and Hood Canal to the east. Named for President Thomas Jefferson, it was created in 1852 from a portion of Lewis County. The county seat is Port Townsend.
Much of Jefferson County is publicly managed. About 60% of the county comprises the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest and roughly 20% percent is under state and federal jurisdiction. The Hoh Reservation and a small corner of the Quinault Reservation are also located in Jefferson County. Jefferson County is a mid-sized county, ranking 18th in the state in land area. Its population density, as measured by people per square mile, ranks 29th.
Jefferson County is part of the Olympic Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7% in December 2024, up from 5.5% in November 2024 and unchanged from 5.7% in December 2023.
-
The labor force contracted over the year, losing 747 participants (5.9%).
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
-
Total nonfarm employment increased by 110 from November 2024 to December 2024.
-
The largest increases from November to December 2024 were observed in leisure and hospitality, education and health services and construction. Government employment dipped in December.
-
Total nonfarm employment increased by 140 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024.
-
Overall, employment in government, trade, transportation and utilities, and leisure and hospitality were bright spots as jobs were added.
-
Education and health services lost employment, as did manufacturing, construction, and information and financial activities.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Jefferson 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 | 9,230 | 9,120 | 9,090 | 110 | 140 | 1.5% |
| Total Private | 6,570 | 6,440 | 6,540 | 130 | 30 | 0.5% |
| Goods Producing | 1,350 | 1,330 | 1,390 | 20 | -40 | -2.9% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 700 | 690 | 710 | 10 | -10 | -1.4% |
| ---Manufacturing | 650 | 640 | 680 | 10 | -30 | -4.4% |
| Service Providing | 7,880 | 7,790 | 7,700 | 90 | 180 | 2.3% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 1,440 | 1,440 | 1,370 | 0 | 70 | 5.1% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 360 | 350 | 370 | 10 | -10 | -2.7% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 480 | 470 | 480 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 1,140 | 1,120 | 1,200 | 20 | -60 | -5.0% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 1250 | 1200 | 1200 | 50 | 50 | 4.2% |
| ---Government | 2,660 | 2,680 | 2,550 | -20 | 110 | 4.3% |
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 employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Jefferson County 2023 annual average
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.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Jefferson County was 8,968 in 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 Jefferson County was $54,891 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
-
Government (2,492)
-
Accommodation and food service (1,091)
-
Retail Trade (1,077)
-
Health care and social services (772)
-
Construction (710)
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
-
Mining and Utilities* ($109,645)
-
Professional, scientific, and technical services ($98,924)
-
Government ($75,373)
-
Manufacturing ($73,563)
-
Finance and insurance ($62,567)
Workforce demographics in Jefferson County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 29,896 | 43.3% | 7.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 719 | 44.9% | 20.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 943 | 78.3% | 25.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,334 | 75.0% | 3.0% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,570 | 77.5% | 5.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 3,156 | 73.9% | 6.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 3,297 | 72.1% | 8.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,602 | 64.7% | 8.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,094 | 46.5% | 7.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 8,080 | 19.3% | 1.7% |
| 75 years and over | 5,101 | 5.3% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 26,198 | 43.0% | 7.7% |
| Black or African American alone | 114 | 47.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 309 | 57.9% | 15.6% |
| Asian alone | 443 | 33.9% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 29 | 75.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 724 | 34.7% | 1.2% |
| Two or more races | 2,079 | 48.5% | 9.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,077 | 58.0% | 7.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 25,880 | 42.7% | 7.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 15,996 | 67.4% | 8.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7,899 | 68.5% | 9.1% |
| Female | 8,097 | 66.4% | 7.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 2,161 | 63.5% | 8.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 568 | 54.0% | 6.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 419 | 40.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,174 | 76.2% | 11.1% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 2,175 | 29.5% | 22.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 13,467 | 75.3% | 7.4% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,246 | 34.8% | 13.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 15,053 | 66.7% | 7.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 830 | 45.9% | 4.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,302 | 68.2% | 10.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 5,138 | 64.6% | 6.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5,783 | 70.8% | 5.9% |
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.