-Posted February 2025
Summary
Nonfarm employment totaled 53,800 in Skagit County in December 2024 (preliminary). This an increase of 100 from the revised November 2024 data, with gains in construction.
This is an increase of 1,600 compared with the same period last year. Government gained 700. Manufacturing gained 500. Construction gained 200. Trade transportation and warehousing and utilities lost 100.
The preliminary unemployment rate in Skagit County was 5.2% in December 2024 — up from the November 2024 revised rate of 4.9%. The unemployment rate was 5.6% in December 2023.
Location
Skagit County, located in northwest Washington, is situated between Whatcom County to the north and Snohomish County to the south. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. The Skagit River runs through the largest population centers of the county. Although most of Skagit County is continental, it includes several islands in the Salish Sea.
Skagit County ranges in elevation from sea level to a high point of 9,114 feet at the non-volcanic peak, Mount Buckner. Glacier Peak, located in neighboring Snohomish County, is noted by the U.S. Geologic Survey as one of the most active and explosive of Washington's volcanoes. Glacier Peak shaped the geography of the Skagit River valley through tremendous mud and debris flows (lahars) that at times traveled over 100 miles to reach the Salish Sea.
Skagit County is synonymous with the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% in December 2024, up from 4.9% in November 2024 and down from 5.6% in December 2023.
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The labor force contracted by an estimated 1,549 participants over the year.
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 increased by 100 from November 2024 to December 2024.
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Employment in construction increased over the month and employment in trade dropped from November 2024 to December 2024.
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Total nonfarm employment expanded by 1,600 from December 2023 to December 2024.
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The largest 12-month gains were observed in government and manufacturing.
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Employment losses were minimal across sectors.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skagit 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 | 53,800 | 53,700 | 52,200 | 100 | 1,600 | 3.1% |
| Total Private | 40,700 | 40,600 | 39,800 | 100 | 900 | 2.3% |
| Goods Producing | 11,400 | 11,300 | 10,700 | 100 | 700 | 6.5% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 5,000 | 4,900 | 4,800 | 100 | 200 | 4.2% |
| ---Manufacturing | 6,400 | 6,400 | 5,900 | 0 | 500 | 8.5% |
| Service Providing | 42,400 | 42,400 | 41,500 | 0 | 900 | 2.2% |
| ---Private Services Providing | 29,300 | 29,300 | 29,100 | 0 | 200 | 0.7% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 10,400 | 10,500 | 10,300 | -100 | 100 | 1.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 6,800 | 6,700 | 7,000 | 100 | -200 | -2.9% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 4,900 | 4,900 | 4,900 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Government | 13100 | 13100 | 12400 | 0 | 700 | 5.6% |
| ---Federal Government | 400 | 400 | 400 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---State Government | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 0 | 100 | 7.7% |
| ---Local Government | 11,300 | 11,300 | 10,700 | 0 | 600 | 5.6% |
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)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Skagit County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Skagit County was 52,445 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.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (11,982)
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Retail trade (6,747)
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Manufacturing (5,732)
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Health care and social assistance (5,265)
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Accommodation and food services (4,439)
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 Skagit County was $61,702 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Utilities ($127,119)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($95,500)
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Professional, scientific, and technical services ($84,279)
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Finance and insurance ($82,164)
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Information ($82,158)
Workforce demographics in Skagit County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 106,270 | 58.5% | 4.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,069 | 45.4% | 14.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,705 | 82.0% | 9.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 8,033 | 83.0% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 8,237 | 81.3% | 3.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 16,398 | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 14,546 | 82.4% | 3.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8,206 | 71.5% | 2.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 9,266 | 52.1% | 3.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 17,301 | 22.4% | 5.1% |
| 75 years and over | 11,509 | 5.7% | 3.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 84,489 | 55.7% | 4.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 978 | 68.3% | 3.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,532 | 68.3% | 12.3% |
| Asian alone | 2,323 | 61.0% | 1.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 258 | 86.8% | 13.8% |
| Some other race alone | 9,011 | 74.7% | 5.9% |
| Two or more races | 7,679 | 65.9% | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 16,426 | 73.4% | 8.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 80,165 | 54.8% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 71,391 | 76.9% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 35,940 | 82.6% | 4.8% |
| Female | 35,451 | 71.2% | 3.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 12,657 | 70.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 only | 3,368 | 59.2% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 2,183 | 60.9% | 3.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 7,106 | 77.9% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 8,121 | 45.4% | 21.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 62,877 | 81.4% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 8,724 | 45.9% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 64,686 | 76.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,643 | 70.5% | 6.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 17,503 | 75.4% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 23,011 | 72.8% | 4.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17,529 | 84.5% | 2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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