- Posted February 2025
Summary
Nonfarm employment in Whatcom County totaled 96,900 in December 2024 (preliminary) — down 400 from the revised November 2024 total of 97,300. The service providing sector lost 400. Leisure and hospitality gained 100.
Nonfarm employment was up 100 jobs compared to December 2023. Leisure and hospitality lost 500. Manufacturing lost 300. This was offset by gains of 400 jobs in the service providing industry; 300 jobs in trade, transportation, warehousing and utilities; 200 jobs in financial activities; and 100 jobs in professional and business services.
The preliminary unemployment rate for Whatcom County was 4.7% in December 2024 — up slightly from 4.6% in November 2024. The unemployment rate was 5.1% in December of 2023.
Location
Whatcom County is in northwest Washington. It borders British Columbia, Canada, to the north, Skagit County to the south, and Okanogan County to the east. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. Whatcom County’s elevation ranges from sea level to 10,781 feet atop active volcano Mount Baker, also known as Kulshan.
Whatcom is part of the Bellingham Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also part of Workforce Development Area 3, along with Skagit, San Juan and Island counties. 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 4.7% in December 2024, up from 4.6% in November 2024 and down relative to 5.1% in December 2023.
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The labor force contracted by roughly 5,778 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 decreased by 400 from November 2024 to December 2024.
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One-month employment losses were observed in the government sector; gains were observed in leisure and hospitality.
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Total nonfarm employment expanded by 100 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024.
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The largest 12-month increases were attributable to hiring in trade, transportation and utilities (including retail trade) and financial activities. The deepest sector losses were observed in leisure and hospitality and manufacturing.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom 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 | 96,900 | 97,300 | 96,800 | -400 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Total Private | 77,900 | 78,000 | 77,700 | -100 | 200 | 0.3% |
| Goods Producing | 17,000 | 17,000 | 17,300 | 0 | -300 | -1.7% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 8,100 | 8,100 | 8,100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Manufacturing | 8,900 | 8,900 | 9,200 | 0 | -300 | -3.3% |
| Service Providing | 79,900 | 80,300 | 79,500 | -400 | 400 | 0.5% |
| ---Private Services Providing | 60,900 | 61,000 | 60,400 | -100 | 500 | 0.8% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 16,700 | 16,700 | 16,400 | 0 | 300 | 1.8% |
| -------Retail Trade | 11,200 | 11,200 | 11,000 | 0 | 200 | 1.8% |
| ---Financial Activities | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,000 | 0 | 200 | 5.0% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 9300 | 9300 | 9200 | 0 | 100 | 1.1% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 10,000 | 9,900 | 10,500 | 100 | -500 | -4.8% |
| ---Government | 19,000 | 19,300 | 19,100 | -300 | -100 | -0.5% |
| -------Federal Government | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 0 | 100 | 6.7% |
| -------Total State Government | 5,800 | 6,100 | 6,400 | -300 | -600 | -9.4% |
| -------Total Local Government | 11,600 | 11,600 | 11,200 | 0 | 400 | 3.6% |
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, Whatcom County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment in Whatcom County was 93,909 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 Whatcom County was $61,929 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (15,105)
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Health care and social assistance (12,938)
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Retail trade (10,619)
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Manufacturing (9,052)
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Accommodation and food services (8,842)
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Information ($128,952)
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Finance and insurance ($112,239)
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Professional, scientific and technical services ($95,353)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($86,833)
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Construction ($83,608)
Workforce demographics in Whatcom County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 190,060 | 63.0% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 11,987 | 47.0% | 23.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 22,680 | 78.3% | 8.8% |
| 25 to 29 years | 16,170 | 81.7% | 4.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 15,366 | 79.1% | 2.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 29,098 | 87.7% | 2.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 25,513 | 82.2% | 3.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 12,648 | 74.2% | 3.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 14,343 | 58.8% | 3.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 26,015 | 22.1% | 2.8% |
| 75 years and over | 16,240 | 5.5% | 11.7% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 153,135 | 61.7% | 5.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,729 | 67.9% | 11.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 3,473 | 59.8% | 10.2% |
| Asian alone | 8,345 | 66.2% | 2.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 576 | 75.2% | 4.5% |
| Some other race alone | 7,626 | 77.1% | 3.6% |
| Two or more races | 15,176 | 66.9% | 5.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 16,622 | 70.7% | 4.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 149,235 | 61.4% | 5.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 135,818 | 79.1% | 4.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 67,970 | 84.0% | 4.5% |
| Female | 67,848 | 74.2% | 3.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 20,867 | 71.3% | 3.2% |
| With own children under 6 only | 4,727 | 66.0% | 4.4% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 4,423 | 63.2% | 3.4% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 11,717 | 76.5% | 2.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 18,236 | 51.2% | 16.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 116,464 | 83.9% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 15,157 | 51.0% | 8.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 113,138 | 79.3% | 3.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 7,523 | 66.7% | 1.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 23,492 | 74.7% | 4.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 39,185 | 76.1% | 3.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42,938 | 86.8% | 2.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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