Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5% in February 2025, up from 4.8% in January 2025 and down relative to 5.6% in February 2024. Whatcom County’s labor force is 107,702 workers. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 100 jobs to 95,900 jobs from January 2025 to February 2025. One-month employment losses were observed in goods producing (mining, logging and construction), retail trade and leisure and hospitality; gains were observed in state government.
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 February 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5% in February 2025, up from 4.8% in January 2025 and down relative to 5.6% in February 2024.
- The labor force contracted 7,300 workers over the year to 107,702 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
- Total nonfarm employment decreased by 100 jobs to 95,900 jobs from January 2025 to February 2025.
- One-month employment losses were observed in goods producing (mining, logging and construction), retail trade and leisure and hospitality; gains were observed in state government.
- Total nonfarm employment was unchanged from February 2024 to February 2025.
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The largest 12-month increases were attributable to hiring in private service providing, trade, transportation and utilities. The deepest sector losses were observed in goods producing (mining, logging and construction) and state government.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom County
| NAICS Industry Title | Feb 2025 (Prelim) | Jan 2025 (Revised) | Feb 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2025 to Feb 2025 Change | Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 Change | Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 95,900 | 96,000 | 95,900 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 76,600 | 76,800 | 76,700 | -200 | -100 | -0.1% |
| - - Goods-producing | 16,300 | 16,500 | 17,200 | -200 | -900 | -5.2% |
| - - - - Mining, logging and construction | 7,400 | 7,600 | 8,200 | -200 | -800 | -9.8% |
| - - - - Manufacturing | 8,900 | 8,900 | 9,000 | 0 | -100 | -1.1% |
| - - Service-providing | 79,600 | 79,500 | 78,700 | 100 | 900 | 1.1% |
| - - - - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 16,200 | 16,200 | 16,000 | 0 | 200 | 1.3% |
| - - - - - Retail trade | 10,800 | 10,900 | 10,800 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Financial activities | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,100 | 0 | 100 | 2.4% |
| - - - - Professional and business services | 9,300 | 9,300 | 9,100 | 0 | 200 | 2.2% |
| - - - - Leisure and hospitality | 9,800 | 9,900 | 9,900 | -100 | -100 | -1.0% |
| - - Government | 19,300 | 19,200 | 19,200 | 100 | 100 | 0.5% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 28, 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:
- Government (15,105)
- Health care and social assistance (12,938)
- Retail trade (10,619)
- Manufacturing (9,052)
- Accommodation and food services (8,842)
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Information ($128,952)
- Finance and insurance ($112,239)
- Professional, scientific and technical services ($95,353)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($86,833)
- 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
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Whatcom County.
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