Posted February 2025
Summary
In Kittitas County, total average annual covered employment during 2023 was 16,780 jobs. The county has 24,959 workers in the labor force. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1% with 18,110 jobs during December 2024. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 4,557 out of 16,780 total annual average employment. The county has 1,379 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023.
Geography
Kittitas County is in the center of the state, 107 miles east of Seattle. It is nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Columbia River to the east. With 2,297.3 square miles, it is the eighth largest county in Washington by land area.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
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From December 2023 to December 2024, the Kittitas County labor force increased by 2,908 to 24,959 workers.
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The December 2024 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Kittitas County was 5.1%, down 1.4% from 6.5% during December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
Total nonfarm employment during December 2024 was 18,110, an increase of 80 jobs from December 2023 and an increase of 30 jobs from November 2024.
- Wholesale trade decreased by 10 jobs from December 2023 and was unchanged from November 2024.
- Information and financial activities increased 20 jobs from December 2023 and was unchanged from November 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality decreased 80 jobs from December 2023 and increased 180 jobs from November 2024.
- Retail trade Increased 10 jobs from December 2023 and increased 20 jobs from November 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas 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 | 18,110 | 18,080 | 18,030 | 30 | 80 | 0.4% |
| Total Private | 11,730 | 11,620 | 11,730 | 110 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Goods Producing | 1,950 | 2,050 | 1,970 | -100 | -20 | -1.0% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 1,320 | 1,420 | 1,330 | -100 | -10 | -0.8% |
| ---Manufacturing | 630 | 630 | 640 | 0 | -10 | -1.6% |
| Service Providing | 16,160 | 16,030 | 16,060 | 130 | 100 | 0.6% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 2,770 | 2,750 | 2,770 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 550 | 550 | 560 | 0 | -10 | -1.8% |
| -------Retail Trade | 1,850 | 1,830 | 1,840 | 20 | 10 | 0.5% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 370 | 370 | 370 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 720 | 720 | 700 | 0 | 20 | 2.9% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 750 | 750 | 730 | 0 | 20 | 2.7% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 1,750 | 1,740 | 1,680 | 10 | 70 | 4.2% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 3,360 | 3,180 | 3,440 | 180 | -80 | -2.3% |
| ---Government | 6,380 | 6,460 | 6,300 | -80 | 80 | 1.3% |
| -------Federal Government | 150 | 160 | 160 | -10 | -10 | -6.3% |
| -------State and Local Government | 6,230 | 6,300 | 6,140 | -70 | 90 | 1.5% |
| -----------State and Local Government Education | 4,240 | 4,300 | 4,150 | -60 | 90 | 2.2% |
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, Kittitas County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Covered employment, or Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data, include agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals whose employees are covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Kittitas County was 16,780. The average annual wage was $51,268 which was 58.9% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (4,557 jobs)
- Accommodation and food services (2,498 jobs)
- Retail trade (1,871 jobs)
- Construction (1,355 jobs)
- State government (1,777 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (1,346)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($315.3 million)
- Construction ($90.5 million)
- Accommodation and food services ($74.3 million)
- Retail trade ($65.8 million)
- Health care and social assistance ($60.3 million)
Workforce demographics in Kittitas County
Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023. The labor force participation rate in Kittitas County was 61.4% with an average unemployment rate of 5.1%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Kittitas County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 37,765 | 61.4% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,452 | 50.6% | 23.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,037 | 73.2% | 8.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,041 | 88.0% | 5.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,610 | 85.1% | 1.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,899 | 78.3% | 2.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,039 | 81.3% | 0.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,510 | 74.1% | 3.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,486 | 48.5% | 3.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,768 | 26.4% | 2.4% |
| 75 years and over | 2,923 | 3.6% | 9.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 31,768 | 60.1% | 4.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 472 | 68.0% | 9.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 185 | 55.1% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 656 | 56.3% | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 48 | 56.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,946 | 72.9% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 2,690 | 68.4% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,398 | 72.0% | 5.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 30,812 | 60.2% | 4.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 26,622 | 75.4% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 13,518 | 79.3% | 4.4% |
| Female | 13,104 | 71.3% | 2.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 3,954 | 68.8% | 0.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 784 | 73.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 489 | 58.9% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,681 | 69.4% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,953 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 22,078 | 81.8% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,047 | 46.6% | 10.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,585 | 75.9% | 2.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,654 | 57.4% | 5.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 5,804 | 74.0% | 2.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,167 | 70.6% | 2.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7,960 | 85.2% | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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