Posted February 2025
Summary
True to its name, Pacific County is known for its scenery and its coastal location. Seafood production, particularly shellfish, is a major industry. Tourism is also a major sector in seaside towns such as Long Beach. Employment peaks during the summer months in accommodation and food services, retail trade, and arts, entertainment and recreation.
Pacific County was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, with unemployment peaking at 19.5% in April 2020. Tourism was slow to recover, and employment in Pacific County still experiences high seasonality compared to the rest of the state. Total nonfarm employment was back to pre-pandemic levels as of 2022, but growth has been slow since then.
Location
Pacific County is located in western Washington, along the Pacific Ocean. Neighboring counties are Grays Harbor to the north, Lewis to the east, and Wahkiakum to the south. Its two main geographic features are Willapa Bay, a major source of oyster production, and the mouth of the Columbia River along the county’s southern border. The Astoria-Megler Bridge connects Pacific County to nearby Clatsop County, Oregon.
Pacific County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 workforce regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7% in December 2024, up from 6.3% in November 2024 but down from 7.5% in December 2023.
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The total civilian labor force was 7,985, down from 8,293 in December 2023.
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The number of unemployed persons was 537, down from 621 in December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment was 6,180 in December 2024. This was up by 60 jobs (1.0%) from December 2023.
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Goods producing industries added 30 jobs (2.8%) over the year, and service providing industries added 30 jobs (0.6%).
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Over the year increases occurred in mining, logging, and construction (30 jobs), education and health services (30 jobs), information and financial activities (10 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (10 jobs).
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Decreases occurred in government (down 30 jobs) and retail trade (down 10 jobs).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Pacific 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 | 6,180 | 6,240 | 6,120 | -60 | 60 | 1.0% |
| Total Private | 4,360 | 4,410 | 4,270 | -50 | 90 | 2.1% |
| Goods Producing | 1,100 | 1,140 | 1,070 | -40 | 30 | 2.8% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 440 | 440 | 410 | 0 | 30 | 7.3% |
| ---Manufacturing | 660 | 700 | 660 | -40 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 5,080 | 5,100 | 5,050 | -20 | 30 | 0.6% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 760 | 760 | 770 | 0 | -10 | -1.3% |
| -------Retail Trade | 680 | 680 | 690 | 0 | -10 | -1.4% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 300 | 290 | 290 | 10 | 10 | 3.4% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 680 | 670 | 650 | 10 | 30 | 4.6% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 960 | 970 | 950 | -10 | 10 | 1.1% |
| ---Government | 1,820 | 1,830 | 1,850 | -10 | -30 | -1.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Pacific County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Pacific County was 6,555 and the average annual wage was $47,089 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.
Pacific County is a major producer of seafood. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting is the sixth largest industry in terms of employment. Tourism is also a major industry, and both accommodation and food services and retail trade report significant employment.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (1,814)
- Accommodation and food services (925)
- Retail trade (714)
- Manufacturing (673)
- Health care and social assistance (584)
The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Government ($66,767)
- Finance and insurance ($64,485)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($58,636)
- Manufacturing ($50,875)
- Information ($47,044)
Workforce demographics for Pacific County
Pacific County’s 16 and over population is 20,570. There is a large 55 and over population, leading to a low labor force participation rate of 47.8%. Among those aged 20 to 64, men tended to have higher labor force participation (76.1% vs. 66.8%) and higher unemployment (6.8% vs. 3.8%) than women.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Pacific County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 20,570 | 47.8% | 4.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 963 | 43.3% | 4.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 777 | 85.5% | 11.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 885 | 93.0% | 1.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,030 | 77.7% | 1.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,497 | 84.1% | 7.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,569 | 73.4% | 4.9% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,823 | 68.2% | 7.7% |
| 60 to 64 years | 2,191 | 40.8% | 0.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 5,150 | 16.7% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,685 | 5.5% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 17,576 | 47.2% | 5.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 138 | 18.8% | 11.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 334 | 62.3% | 9.7% |
| Asian alone | 389 | 58.9% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 3 | 0.0% | - |
| Some other race alone | 932 | 60.5% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 1,198 | 42.0% | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,620 | 62.3% | 3.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 17,032 | 46.8% | 5.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 11,772 | 71.4% | 5.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,892 | 76.1% | 6.8% |
| Female | 5,880 | 66.8% | 3.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,798 | 83.5% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 only | 375 | 87.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 464 | 62.5% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 959 | 92.0% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,683 | 34.4% | 11.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 10,025 | 77.9% | 4.9% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,058 | 40.3% | 15.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 10,995 | 70.4% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,240 | 52.5% | 5.2% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,340 | 73.0% | 7.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 4,317 | 71.6% | 2.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,098 | 74.5% | 5.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status.
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