Pend Oreille County profile
Pend Oreille County is in the northeast corner of Washington state. It is part of the Spokane Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Spokane and Stevens counties. Pend Oreille’s total population was estimated at 14,361 as of 2023. The largest age demographic is people 65 to 74 years of age at 17.5% of total population.
Major development in the 1930s with the creation of Lake Roosevelt spurred jobs, electricity, and irrigation. Mining, particularly gold, has historically been significant, with the Republic mines being major producers in the 20th century. However, mining has been in decline since 2018.
Federal, state, and local government jobs on public lands, such as the United States Forest Service, have helped mitigate some job losses. Around 327 employers demand labor in Pend Oreille County. Around 5,147 workers make up the labor force, with an average unemployment rate of 6.0% in 2023.
Pend Oreille County geographic overview
Pend Oreille County is known for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city of Newport serves as both the county seat and the largest city in Pend Oreille County.
The county spans 1,425 square miles, including 24 square miles of water. Its terrain features forests, mountains, and several lakes and rivers, offering abundant recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.
Pend Oreille County was created out of Stevens County in 1911 and is named after the Pend d'Oreilles Native American tribe.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Pend Oreille County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Pend Oreille employment situation for December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of December 2024, Pend Oreille 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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Pend Oreille County has over 5,006 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -4.4% or -228 workers from December 2023. Employed workforce decreased by -4.3% or -211 workers from December 2023 to December 2024. Number of unemployed decreased by -4.7% or -17 workers. About 344 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 6.9% in December 2024, which increased from 5.7% in November 2024 and unemployment rate remained unchanged from 6.9% 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 Spokane Valley MSA
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As of December 2024, total nonfarm employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,280 jobs, recording increase of 20 jobs or 0.6% over-the-month and recording total of 70 jobs or 2.2% growth from last December 2023.
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Private sectors, totaling 1,570 jobs, saw an increase of 20 jobs or 1.3% in over-the-month change, and recorded an increase of 80 jobs or 5.4% from December 2023 to December 2024.
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Goods producing sectors, with 350 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 2.9% in over-the-month change and increased by 40 jobs or 12.9% from December 2023. Mining, logging, and construction increased by 10 jobs or 3.8% over-the-month, and increased by 40 jobs or 17.4% from December 2023. Manufacturing, totaling 80 jobs, remained unchanged from over-the-month and over-the-year.
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Service providing sectors, with total of 2,930 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 0.3% from November to December and increased by 30 jobs or 1.0% from December 2023. Trade, transportation, and utilities decreased by -10 jobs or -3.6% in over-the-month change and remained unchanged over-the-year.
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Information and financial activities remained unchanged over-the-month and over-the-year. Leisure and hospitality increased by 10 jobs or 2.3% over-the-month while remained unchanged over-the-year.
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Government services including public educational services totaled 1,710 jobs, remained unchanged over-the-month and decreased by -10 jobs or -0.6% from December 2023.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Pend Oreille 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 | 3,280 | 3,260 | 3,210 | 20 | 70 | 2.2% |
| Total Private | 1,570 | 1,550 | 1,490 | 20 | 80 | 5.4% |
| Goods Producing | 350 | 340 | 310 | 10 | 40 | 12.9% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 270 | 260 | 230 | 10 | 40 | 17.4% |
| ---Manufacturing | 80 | 80 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 2,930 | 2,920 | 2,900 | 10 | 30 | 1.0% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 270 | 280 | 270 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 120 | 120 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 250 | 250 | 240 | 0 | 10 | 4.2% |
| ---Government | 1,710 | 1,710 | 1,720 | 0 | -10 | -0.6% |
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, Pend Oreille County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,185 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 Pend Oreille was $58,210 during 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment during 2023:
- Government (1678)
- Health care and social assistance (264)
- Retail trade (249)
- Accommodation and food services (232)
- Construction (160)
Top five sectors in terms of earnings during 2023:
- Administrative and waste services ($110,057)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($107,527)
- Other ($97,708)
- Government ($67,972)
- Manufacturing ($57,464)
Workforce demographics in Pend Oreille County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 86.5%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 16.6%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 65.4%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (71.1%) compared to female workers (59.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 71.5%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 39.3%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Pend Oreille County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 11,508 | 47.0% | 6.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 558 | 45.5% | 22.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 828 | 62.8% | 8.5% |
| 25 to 29 years | 533 | 86.5% | 5.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 701 | 70.8% | 4.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,309 | 79.8% | 6.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 1,523 | 71.0% | 6.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,230 | 50.1% | 4.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,097 | 45.5% | 9.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 2,417 | 16.6% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 1,312 | 2.7% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 10,147 | 45.1% | 7.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 17 | 29.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 210 | 43.3% | 3.3% |
| Asian alone | 46 | 15.2% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 25 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 195 | 53.3% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 868 | 69.2% | 6.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 405 | 44.7% | 15.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 10,079 | 45.3% | 7.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 7,221 | 65.4% | 6.5% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3,712 | 71.1% | 9.0% |
| Female | 3,509 | 59.2% | 3.4% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,039 | 68.2% | 1.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 253 | 83.8% | 1.4% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 176 | 63.6% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 610 | 63.1% | 2.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,201 | 37.1% | 19.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 5,970 | 71.6% | 5.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,302 | 30.3% | 8.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 6,393 | 65.7% | 6.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 336 | 39.3% | 5.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2,294 | 65.5% | 10.2% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,586 | 66.6% | 3.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,177 | 71.5% | 5.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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