Posted March 2025
Summary
Wahkiakum County has a small, rural economy, largely centered around the forestry sector. Other main industries include local government, retail trade, manufacturing, and accommodation and food services. Retirees and older workers make up a significant portion of the population.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in Wahkiakum County hit a peak of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is consistently one of the highest among Washington’s 39 counties, though it also has a high degree of seasonality.
Location
Wahkiakum County is one of the smallest in Washington in both size and population. It is located in the southwest of the state, along the Columbia River. The Wahkiakum County Ferry connects the town of Cathlamet to Clatsop County, Oregon, across the river. Other neighboring counties are Cowlitz County to the east, and Pacific and Lewis counties to the north.
Wahkiakum County, along with neighboring Clark and Cowlitz Counties, makes up Washington’s seventh Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 workforce regions.
Employment situation for January 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.3% in January 2025, up from 6.6% in the previous month but down from 8.4% in January 2024.
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The total civilian labor force was 1,239 in January 2025, down from 1,277 in January 2024.
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 750 in January 2025, not seasonally adjusted. This was unchanged from January 2024.
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Over the year, goods producing industries added 10 jobs and service providing industries lost 10 jobs.
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Year over year increases occurred in mining and logging (10 jobs) and local government education (10 jobs).
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Year over year decreases occurred in retail trade (down 10) and other services (down 10).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wahkiakum County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jan 2025 (Preliminary) | Dec 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Nonfarm | 750 | 750 | 750 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| --Total Private | 450 | 450 | 450 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Goods Producing | 140 | 140 | 130 | 0 | 10 | 7.7% |
| -----Mining, Logging, and Construction | 80 | 80 | 70 | 0 | 10 | 14.3% |
| -------Mining and Logging | 40 | 40 | 30 | 0 | 10 | 33.3% |
| -------Construction | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----Manufacturing | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Service Providing | 610 | 610 | 620 | 0 | -10 | -1.6% |
| -----Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 90 | 90 | 100 | 0 | -10 | -10.0% |
| ----- All Other Services | 200 | 210 | 210 | -10 | -10 | -4.8% |
| -----Government | 300 | 290 | 300 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Federal Government | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------State Government | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Local Government | 270 | 260 | 270 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---------Local Government Education | 90 | 80 | 80 | 10 | 10 | 12.5% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 17, 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 reflects the rural nature of Wahkiakum County. Government is the largest employer by far, specifically local government. Agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting industries make up a relatively large portion of the region’s employment as well as some of the highest average wages.
Employment by industry, Wahkiakum County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Wahkiakum County was 772 and the average annual wage was $42,910 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 five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (277)
- Retail trade (94)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (93)
- Manufacturing (63)
- Accommodation and food services (57)
The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Information ($62,603)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($61,501)
- Finance and insurance ($55,339)
- Construction ($52,928)
- Government ($48,933)
Workforce demographics for Wahkiakum County
Wahkiakum County is one of the smallest in the state, both in area as well as population. The 16 and over population is 3,795, with a labor force participation rate of 41.9%. This low rate is due to the large number of older residents. Estimates across different demographic groups tend to have wide margins of error due to sample size, and should be interpreted carefully.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Wahkiakum County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 3,795 | 41.9% | 2.6% |
| 16 to 19 years | 103 | 59.2% | 0.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 199 | 75.9% | 11.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 162 | 72.8% | 3.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 176 | 70.5% | 0.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 430 | 76.0% | 3.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 454 | 59.9% | 0.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 248 | 69.8% | 5.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 544 | 36.6% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 884 | 13.6% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 595 | 7.4% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 3,329 | 41.6% | 0.9% |
| Black or African American alone | 13 | 0.0% | - |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4 | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 80 | 62.5% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 5 | 0.0% | - |
| Some other race alone | 94 | 47.9% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 270 | 39.3% | 27.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 211 | 69.2% | 11.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 3,249 | 40.5% | 0.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 2,213 | 61.6% | 3.1% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,046 | 70.3% | 1.5% |
| Female | 1,167 | 53.9% | 4.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 374 | 51.1% | 2.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 87 | 46.0% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 112 | 41.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 175 | 60.0% | 4.8% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 438 | 25.6% | 4.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 1,764 | 71.0% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 341 | 46.0% | 3.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 2,014 | 60.2% | 2.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 202 | 75.7% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 628 | 63.5% | 1.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 827 | 51.1% | 4.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 357 | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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