Posted February 2025
Summary
Lincoln County is in the northeast region of Washington state. There are around 11,738 people residing in Lincoln County as of 2023. The largest demographic is people 65 to 74 years of age with 15.6% of total population share.
Lincoln County’s economy is predominantly natural resource-based economy significant land owned by the Colville Confederated Tribe and Colville National Forest. Less than 18% of the county is privately owned. Early settlers were drawn by gold and transitioned to lumber post-gold rush. Access was improved in the 1930s with the creation and development of Lake Roosevelt by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Gold mining in Republic was a major source of employment, though it’s been declining since 2018. Federal, state, and local government jobs on public lands mitigate job losses.
Labor supply in the county is around 4,676 workers, with 4.9% out of work or looking for a job in 2023. There was an average of 411 businesses during 2023 which demand around 2,807 workers.
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 December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of December 2024, Lincoln County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.
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Lincoln County has over 4,392 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -4.1% or -189 workers from December 2023. Employed workforce deceased -3.1% or -135 workers from December 2023 to December 2024. Unemployed workers decreased by -19.4% or -54 workers. About 224 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 5.1% in December 2024, which increased from 5.0% in November 2024 and unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% in December 2023.
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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As of December 2024, total nonfarm employment in Lincoln County was 2,570 jobs. Total nonfarm employment decreased by -20 jobs or -0.8% in over-the-month change and recorded decrease of -70 jobs or -2.7% in over-the-year change. Private sectors decreased by -10 jobs or -0.8% over-the-month totaling 1,300 jobs and recorded decrease of -40 jobs or -3.0% in over-the-year change.
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Goods producing sectors with total employment of 330 jobs decreased November to December by -20 jobs or -5.7% and decreased by -30 jobs or -8.3% from December 2023 to December 2024. Construction industry decreased November to December by -20 jobs or -6.3% and decreased by -30 jobs or -9.1% in over-the-year change. Manufacturing remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year.
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Service providing sectors with total of 2,240 jobs, remained unchanged over-the-month and recorded decreased by -40 jobs or -1.8% from December 2023 to December 2024. Trade, transportation, and utilities increased remained unchanged over-the-month and decreased by -10 jobs or -2.3% in over-the-year change. Information and financial activities remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year.
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Government services with total of 1,270 jobs including public educational services decreased by -10 jobs or -0.8% over-the-month and decreased by -30 jobs or -2.3% in over-the-year change.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Lincoln 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 | 2,570 | 2,590 | 2,640 | -20 | -70 | -2.7% |
| Total Private | 1,300 | 1,310 | 1,340 | -10 | -40 | -3.0% |
| Goods Producing | 330 | 350 | 360 | -20 | -30 | -8.3% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 300 | 320 | 330 | -20 | -30 | -9.1% |
| ---Manufacturing | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 2,240 | 2,240 | 2,280 | 0 | -40 | -1.8% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 420 | 420 | 430 | 0 | -10 | -2.3% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Government | 1,270 | 1,280 | 1,300 | -10 | -30 | -2.3% |
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)
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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