Posted April 2025
Summary
In Adams County the agricultural industry is an important component of the local economy and labor market. The county, as of the 2022 Agriculture Census, has 558 agriculture operations utilizing 980,671 acres of land and generates $562 million in crop and livestock sales revenue. The labor force has 6,697 workers with an unemployment rate of 9.3%. Preliminary total nonfarm employment during February 2025 was 6,750 jobs. Of the nonfarm jobs, 100 were gained in the government sector over the year, however the gains were all in the state and local government subsectors with federal remaining unchanged. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,962 out of 9,415 total annual average employment. The county has 668 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023.
Geography
Adams County is located in eastern Washington. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, which covers much of north and central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for February 2025
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3% during February 2025, up from 7.7% in February 2024.
-
The labor force went from 8,158 workers during February 2024 down to 6,697 during February 2025, a decrease of 1,461 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment, Current Employment Statistics
-
Preliminary total nonfarm employment during February 2025 was 6,740, an increase of 230 jobs from February 2024 and a loss of 10 jobs from January 2025.
-
Leisure and hospitality (primarily hotels, eating and drinking places, and amusement and recreation) gained 60 jobs over the year and gained 20 jobs from January 2025.
-
Trade, Transportation, and utilities gained 40 jobs over the year and gained 20 jobs from January 2025.
-
The government sector gained 100 jobs over the year and lost 10 jobs from January 2025. The 10 job losses over the month were in local government.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Adams 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 | 6,740 | 6,750 | 6,510 | -10 | 230 | 3.5% |
| - Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 4,850 | 4,860 | 4,720 | -10 | 130 | 2.8% |
| - - Goods-producing | 1,350 | 1,400 | 1,360 | -50 | -10 | -0.7% |
| - - - - Mining, logging and construction | 120 | 110 | 120 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Manufacturing | 1,230 | 1,290 | 1,240 | -60 | -10 | -0.8% |
| - - Service-providing | 5,380 | 5,360 | 5,140 | 20 | 240 | 4.7% |
| - - - - - Wholesale trade | 420 | 420 | 400 | 0 | 20 | 5.0% |
| - - - - - Retail trade | 710 | 700 | 710 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 510 | 510 | 500 | 0 | 10 | 2.0% |
| - - - - Information | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Financial activities | 130 | 130 | 130 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Professional and business services | 180 | 180 | 160 | 0 | 20 | 12.5% |
| - - - - Private education and health services | 870 | 870 | 840 | 0 | 30 | 3.6% |
| - - - - Leisure and hospitality | 550 | 530 | 490 | 20 | 60 | 12.2% |
| - - - - Other services | 120 | 120 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - Government | 1,890 | 1,900 | 1,790 | -10 | 100 | 5.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry sectors, covered employment
Employment by industry, Adams 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 during 2023 in Adams County was 9,415. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (2,961)
- Local government (1,614)
- Manufacturing (1,264)
- Health services (844)
- Retail trade (730)
Workforce demographics in Adams County
The population of 16 and over in Adams County was 14,194 during 2023. The labor force participation rate in Adams County for people 16 years and older was 61.5% with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. A reduced cohort, ages 20 to 64, show a 76.2% participation rate and a 3.7% unemployment rate. Within that group, 1,725 are below the poverty level.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Adams County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 14,194 | 61.5% | 4.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,462 | 31.0% | 13.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,400 | 74.6% | 8.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,256 | 67.2% | 1.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,265 | 78.5% | 1.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,407 | 80.6% | 2.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,003 | 83.2% | 3.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,004 | 79.5% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 951 | 57.7% | 11.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,602 | 25.0% | 1.5% |
| 75 years and over | 844 | 5.5% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 7,161 | 55.4% | 6.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 77 | 51.9% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 460 | 85.4% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 129 | 69.8% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 56 | 92.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 3,970 | 65.4% | 2.3% |
| Two or more races | 2,341 | 68.3% | 2.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 8,186 | 67.8% | 3.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 5,415 | 52.2% | 6.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 10,286 | 76.2% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,328 | 82.8% | 3.2% |
| Female | 4,958 | 69.1% | 4.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 2,247 | 67.4% | 0.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 314 | 56.4% | 0.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 773 | 56.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,160 | 77.5% | 0.6% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,725 | 53.8% | 7.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,500 | 81.3% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,058 | 36.8% | 16.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,886 | 76.4% | 2.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 2,891 | 71.1% | 0.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2,652 | 74.1% | 6.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,028 | 78.3% | 2.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,315 | 89.9% | 0.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.