May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.7% to 4.0% over the month and total nonfarm employment increased by 900 jobs over the month.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in May 2025. This is up from 3.7% in April 2025 and down from 4.4% in May 2024. Whatcom County’s labor force was 109,360 workers. Total nonfarm employment increased by 900 to 98,000 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025.
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 May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in May 2025, up from 3.7% in April 2025 and down relative to 4.4% in May 2024.
- The labor force, at 109,360 workers, has contracted by 5,143 workers since May 2024; however, the labor force expanded by 1,439 workers over the month.
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 900 jobs (98,000 total jobs) from April 2025 to May 2025 and it was up 400 jobs compared to May 2024.
- Goods producing industry jobs were down 300 jobs compared to May 2024 and down 500 jobs compared to April.
- Private service providing industry jobs were up 1,100 jobs over the year and up 1,700 jobs over the month.
- Trade, transportation and utilities increased by 800 jobs since April, and was unchanged over the year.
- Retail trade was up 600 jobs over the month and up 200 jobs over the year.
- Financial activities industry jobs were up 500 jobs over the month and up 200 jobs over the year.
- Leisure and hospitality has1,200 fewer jobs compared to April 2025 and May 2024 which both had 10,000 total jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 98,000 | 97,100 | 97,600 | 900 | 400 | 0.4% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 78,600 | 77,400 | 77,800 | 1,200 | 800 | 1.0% |
| Goods-producing | 16,800 | 17,300 | 17,100 | -500 | -300 | -1.8% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 7,900 | 8,100 | 8,100 | -200 | -200 | -2.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 8,900 | 9,200 | 9,000 | -300 | -100 | -1.1% |
| Service-providing | 81,200 | 79,800 | 80,500 | 1,400 | 700 | 0.9% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 16,300 | 15,500 | 16,300 | 800 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 11,200 | 10,600 | 11,000 | 600 | 200 | 1.8% |
| - Financial activities | 4,500 | 4,000 | 4,300 | 500 | 200 | 4.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 9,200 | 9,200 | 9,400 | 0 | -200 | -2.1% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 8,800 | 10,000 | 10,000 | -1,200 | -1,200 | -12.0% |
| - Government | 19,400 | 19,700 | 19,800 | -300 | -400 | -2.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.
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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