May 2025 highlights
In April, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% to 5.2%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 40 jobs in Lincoln County over the past year.
Summary
Lincoln County lies in the Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington State. Around 11,862 people live in Lincoln County as of 2024, with approximately 26.7% of the population aged 65 years and over.
Government is the largest employment sector in Lincoln County, followed by construction, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and retail trade. Lincoln County is considered to be the second-largest producer of wheat in the United States, behind Whitman County, Washington.
Lincoln County geographic overview
Lincoln County is located in the eastern part of Washington state. It is known for its rich agricultural heritage. The city of Davenport serves as the county seat and is also the largest city in Lincoln County.
The county covers 2,339 square miles, including 36 square miles of water. It features a diverse landscape with rolling wheat fields, river valleys, and the scenic shores of Lake Roosevelt.
Lincoln County was created out of Whitman County in 1883 and is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Lincoln County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Lincoln County employment situation for May 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9% during May 2025, down from 5.7% in May 2024.
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The labor force increased by 89 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
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The total employed workers increased by 116 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Lincoln County, Washington
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Total nonfarm employment in Lincoln County was 2,570 jobs. Total nonfarm employment increased by 50 jobs over the month and decreased by 30 jobs over the year. Private sectors increased by 10 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025, for a new total of 1,250 jobs.
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Goods producing sectors, with 330 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and decreased from May 2024.
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The largest group in this sector is Construction, which decreased by 10 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025, now 310 total jobs.
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Service providing sectors, with 2,240 jobs, increased by 50 jobs over the month and decreased by 10 jobs from May 2024.
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Trade, transportation, and utilities increased by 10 jobs over the month and was down 20 jobs over the year. The sector now has 360 jobs.
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Professional and business services remained unchanged over the month and over the year, with a total of 180 jobs.
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Leisure and hospitality, with a total of 160 jobs, was unchanged over the month and increased by 10 jobs over the year.
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Government services, with a total of 1,320 jobs including public educational services, increased by 40 jobs both over the month and increased by 10 jobs from May 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Lincoln County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 2,570 | 2,520 | 2,600 | 50 | -30 | -1.2% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 1,250 | 1,240 | 1,290 | 10 | -40 | -3.1% |
| Goods-producing | 330 | 330 | 350 | 0 | -20 | -5.7% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 310 | 310 | 320 | 0 | -10 | -3.1% |
| - Manufacturing | 20 | 30 | 20 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 2,240 | 2,190 | 2,250 | 50 | -10 | -0.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 150 | 140 | 160 | 10 | -10 | -6.3% |
| - Retail trade | 130 | 130 | 140 | 0 | -10 | -7.1% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 70 | 70 | 80 | 0 | -10 | -12.5% |
| - Information | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | N/A |
| - Financial activities | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 180 | 180 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 160 | 160 | 150 | 0 | 10 | 6.7% |
| - Other services | 60 | 60 | 70 | 0 | -10 | -14.3% |
| - Government | 1,320 | 1,280 | 1,310 | 40 | 10 | 0.8% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 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, Lincoln County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Lincoln County was 2,807 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 Lincoln County was $49,585 in 2023.
Top five sectors in terms of employment counts during 2023:
- Government (1,225)
- Construction (319)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (276)
- Retail trade (187)
- Wholesale trade (172)
Top five sectors in terms of earnings during 2023:
- Utilities ($99,126)
- Construction ($62,869)
- Wholesale trade ($58,802)
- Finance and insurance ($58,454)
- Other ($58,434)
Workforce demographics in Lincoln County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 35 to 39 years age group at 83.7%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 24.6%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 73.8%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (78.3%) compared to female workers (69.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.9%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 48.6%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Lincoln County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 9,146 | 53.4% | 5.5% |
| 16 to 19 years | 558 | 34.9% | 19.5% |
| 20 to 24 years | 519 | 72.1% | 16.8% |
| 25 to 29 years | 462 | 72.7% | 5.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 480 | 83.1% | 4.1% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,243 | 83.7% | 3.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 1,245 | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 723 | 62.2% | 6.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,005 | 57.4% | 0.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,763 | 24.6% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 1,148 | 5.5% | 4.8% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 8,389 | 53.2% | 5.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 59 | 50.8% | 56.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 204 | 43.1% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 71 | 43.7% | 6.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 21 | 95.2% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 108 | 78.7% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 294 | 57.1% | 3.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 318 | 66.4% | 11.8% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 8,289 | 52.9% | 5.4% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 5,677 | 73.8% | 5.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2,868 | 78.3% | 4.8% |
| Female | 2,809 | 69.2% | 6.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 940 | 72.1% | 5.9% |
| With own children under 6 only | 150 | 50.7% | 22.4% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 272 | 65.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 518 | 82.0% | 5.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 563 | 39.6% | 12.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 5,077 | 78.2% | 5.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,028 | 52.4% | 10.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 5,158 | 74.0% | 4.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 354 | 48.6% | 14.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,347 | 68.2% | 7.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,195 | 74.9% | 2.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,262 | 85.9% | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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