Posted February 2025
Summary
Spokane County is located in the northeast region of Washington state. About 551,455 people live in the county and the largest demographic is people 25 to 34 years of age with 14.9% of total population Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial, and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest.
Spokane County was created in 1858 and became a regional hub for mining, timber, and railroads in the 1870s. Historically, Spokane's economy has been shaped by its role as a regional service center for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Major sectors are government, higher education, medical services, retail trade, and finance. Fairchild Air Force Base is the largest employer and is expected to grow.
The private sector has seen significant job increases due to the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions. Key industries with growth are transportation and warehousing, advanced manufacturing, health services, professional and business services, and agriculture.
Some recent developments include a health sciences campus, Amazon fulfillment centers, and biotechnology firms. Spokane is attracting investments from tourism, conventions, military, and research, supporting a diversified economy.
There were around 14,279 firms demanding labor in the county with 241,636 jobs filled by workers in 2023. Spokane County had about 264,059 people in the labor force in 2023, and 4.2% of those workers were unemployed. Spokane is part of the Spokane Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which also includes Stevens and Pend Oreille counties.
Spokane County geographic overview
Spokane County is in eastern Washington and shares its eastern border with Idaho. Spokane is both the county seat and the largest city in Spokane County.
The county covers 1,764 square miles, including 17 square miles of water. Its landscape features a mix of urban areas, suburban developments, and beautiful natural settings, including rivers, lakes, and parks.
Spokane County was created out of Walla Walla County in 1858 and derives its name from the Spokane tribe.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Spokane County is part of Area 12, the Spokane Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Spokane County employment situation for December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of December 2024, Spokane 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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Spokane County has over 257,941 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -3.8% or -10,170 workers from December 2023. Employed workforce decreased by -3.6% or -9,197 workers from December 2023 to December 2024. Number of unemployed decreased by -7.2% or -973 workers. About 12,504 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.8% in December 2024, which increased from 4.3% in November 2024 and unemployment rate decreased from 5.0% 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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Total nonfarm employment in Spokane MSA was 273,700 jobs, recording an increase of 200 jobs or 0.1% over-the-month and recording an increase of 5,400 jobs or 2.0% from last December 2023.
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Private sectors had estimated 229,800 jobs in the area, which recorded over 1,200 jobs or 0.5% increase over-the-month, and over-the-year private industries increased by 5,200 from December 2023 to December 2024.
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Goods producing sectors, with 34,100 jobs, with no change over-the-month and recording increase of 300 jobs or 0.9% from December 2023. Mining, logging, and construction remained unchanged over-the-month, and grow by 800 jobs or 5.0% over-the-year. Manufacturing, totaling 17,400 jobs remained unchanged over-the-month and showed decreased by -500 jobs or -2.8% over-the-year.
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Service providing sectors, with total of 239,600 jobs, increased by 200 jobs or 0.1% from November to December and recorded an increase of 5,100 jobs or 2.2% from December 2023. Trade, transportation, and utilities totaling 52,200 jobs, increased by 500 jobs or 1.0% in over-the-month change and recording 300 jobs or 0.6% growth over-the-year. Information and financial activities held total of 17,200 jobs with an increase by 100 jobs or 0.6% over-the-month and recorded decrease of -400 jobs or -2.3% over-the-year. Professional and business services had total of 30,100 jobs in the county with decrease of -100 jobs or -0.3% over-the-month and with 1,000 jobs or 3.4% increase over-the-year.
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Private education and health services industry had total of 60,700 jobs in Spokane Region, increased by 300 jobs or 0.5% over-the-month and increased by 2,900 jobs or 5.0% increase over-the-year. Leisure and hospitality sector had total of 25,900 jobs and increased by 300 jobs or 1.2% and added about 1,000 jobs or 4.0% over-the-year.
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Government services including public educational services totaled 43,900 decreased over-the-month by -1,000 jobs or -2.2% and over-the-year increased by 200 jobs or 0.5% from December 2023.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Spokane 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 | 273,700 | 273,500 | 268,300 | 200 | 5,400 | 2.0% |
| Total Private | 229,800 | 228,600 | 224,600 | 1,200 | 5,200 | 2.3% |
| Goods Producing | 34,100 | 34,100 | 33,800 | 0 | 300 | 0.9% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 16,700 | 16,700 | 15,900 | 0 | 800 | 5.0% |
| ---Manufacturing | 17,400 | 17,400 | 17,900 | 0 | -500 | -2.8% |
| Service Providing | 239,600 | 239,400 | 234,500 | 200 | 5,100 | 2.2% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 52,200 | 51,700 | 51,900 | 500 | 300 | 0.6% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 11,300 | 11,300 | 11,300 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 28,900 | 28,600 | 28,600 | 300 | 300 | 1.0% |
| -----------Food and Beverage Stores | 5,200 | 5,200 | 5,000 | 0 | 200 | 4.0% |
| -----------General Merchandise Stores | 6400 | 6400 | 6300 | 0 | 100 | 1.6% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 12,000 | 11,800 | 12,000 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Information | 3,100 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 100 | 100 | 3.3% |
| ---Financial Activities | 14,100 | 14,100 | 14,600 | 0 | -500 | -3.4% |
| -------Finance and Insurance | 9,700 | 9,700 | 10,200 | 0 | -500 | -4.9% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 30,100 | 30,200 | 29,100 | -100 | 1,000 | 3.4% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 60,700 | 60,400 | 57,800 | 300 | 2,900 | 5.0% |
| -------Health and Social Assistance | 52,200 | 51,800 | 49,100 | 400 | 3,100 | 6.3% |
| -----------Ambulatory Health Care Services | 18,600 | 18,600 | 17,900 | 0 | 700 | 3.9% |
| -----------Hospitals | 11,400 | 11,400 | 11,100 | 0 | 300 | 2.7% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 25,900 | 25,600 | 24,900 | 300 | 1,000 | 4.0% |
| -------Food Services and Drinking Places | 18,100 | 18,000 | 18,800 | 100 | -700 | -3.7% |
| ---Other Services | 9,600 | 9,500 | 9,500 | 100 | 100 | 1.1% |
| ---Government | 43,900 | 44,900 | 43,700 | -1,000 | 200 | 0.5% |
| -------Federal Government | 5,500 | 5,500 | 5,500 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Total State Government | 11,200 | 11,600 | 11,200 | -400 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----------State Government Educational Services | 4,900 | 5,100 | 5,300 | -200 | -400 | -7.5% |
| -------Total Local Government | 27,200 | 27,800 | 27,000 | -600 | 200 | 0.7% |
| -----------Local Government Educational Services | 14,500 | 14,700 | 14,500 | -200 | 0 | 0.0% |
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, Spokane County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Spokane County was 241,636 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 Spokane County was $62,390 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Health care and social assistance (45,871)
- Government (35,893)
- Retail trade (26,469)
- Accommodation and food services (20,672)
- Manufacturing (16,477)
Top industry sectors in terms of wages in 2023:
- Other industries ($169,577)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($116,879)
- Utilities ($112,534)
- Finance and insurance ($104,227)
- Mining ($99,449)
Workforce demographics in Spokane County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 83.7%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 22.7%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 76.7%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (80.7%) compared to female workers (72.7%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.6%, while people with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 54.7%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Spokane County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 438,738 | 61.8% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 26,511 | 42.3% | 18.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 35,080 | 77.1% | 8.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 39,888 | 83.7% | 7.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 41,186 | 80.7% | 5.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 72,388 | 81.3% | 5.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 63,071 | 78.9% | 4.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 31,083 | 71.7% | 3.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 36,976 | 56.1% | 2.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 56,730 | 22.7% | 4.4% |
| 75 years and over | 35,825 | 5.0% | 6.4% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 375,112 | 61.3% | 5.3% |
| Black or African American alone | 8,613 | 66.7% | 12.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4,504 | 56.8% | 14.0% |
| Asian alone | 10,000 | 62.7% | 4.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 2,491 | 67.0% | 6.4% |
| Some other race alone | 8,653 | 71.4% | 6.6% |
| Two or more races | 29,365 | 64.6% | 8.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 26,166 | 69.0% | 6.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 367,058 | 61.1% | 5.3% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 319,672 | 76.7% | 5.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 161,744 | 80.7% | 5.8% |
| Female | 157,928 | 72.7% | 4.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 52,115 | 74.2% | 5.0% |
| With own children under 6 only | 11,439 | 67.8% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 11,370 | 65.9% | 7.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 29,306 | 79.9% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 39,291 | 43.6% | 26.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 274,815 | 82.6% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 43,472 | 44.3% | 11.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 284,592 | 76.7% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 15,934 | 54.7% | 11.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 68,014 | 71.8% | 5.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 109,627 | 75.5% | 5.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 91,017 | 85.6% | 2.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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