- Posted April 2025
March 2025 Highlights
In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.6% to 4.3% and total nonfarm employment increased by 260.
Summary
Total nonfarm employment was estimated at 18,820 in March 2025. This is up 260 compared to February 2025 and up 50 jobs over the year. The labor force in Island County included 36,225 workers. Within that estimate, 1,574 were considered unemployed. The size of the labor force increased by 248 over the year. The Unemployment rate in Island County decreased from 5.6% to 4.3% in March 2025.
Geography
Island County is situated in the Salish Sea in northwest Washington. As its name suggests, it is made up of several islands. The two largest are Whidbey and Camano. Island County is the second smallest county in Washington by landmass, just larger than neighboring San Juan County. Island County is bounded to the north by Deception Pass and to the south by Puget Sound. Skagit Bay and Saratoga Passage are located to the east and Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are west. Skagit and Snohomish counties lie to the east of Island County and the Olympic Peninsula lies across the water to the west.
Island County is one of six counties included in the Seattle-Tacoma Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA).
The largest employer is U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor is the largest city in the county.
Island County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for March 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in March 2025, down from 5.6% in February 2025 and down relative to 5.1% in March 2024.
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The labor force increased by 248 workers over the year. In March there were an estimated 36,225 workers in Island County.
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 260 jobs over the month, bringing the estimated job count to 18,820. This is up 50 jobs relative to March 2024.
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The largest one-month job increases were attributable to hiring in leisure and hospitality (up 130), government (up 80) and financial activities (up 20). Retail trade was the only sector reporting net losses in March 2025.
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Over the year, the sectors reporting the largest gains were education and health services and government; each added 50 jobs. The deepest one-year losses were reported in retail trade (down 60) and professional and business services (down 30).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Island County
| NAICS Industry Title | Mar 2025 (Prelim) | Feb 2025 (Revised) | Mar 2024 (Revised) | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Industry Title Total nonfarm | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 18,820 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 18,560 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 18,770 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 260 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 50 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.3% |
| NAICS Industry Title Total private (total nonfarm less government) | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 13,960 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 13,770 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 13,960 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 190 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title Goods-producing | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 2,070 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 2,050 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 2,050 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 1.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Mining and logging | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 10 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 10 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 10 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Construction | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 1,290 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 1,280 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 1,290 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Manufacturing | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 770 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 760 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 750 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title Service-providing | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 16,760 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 16,510 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 16,720 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 250 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 40 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 0.2% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Wholesale trade | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 260 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 250 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 250 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 4.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Retail trade | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 2,120 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 2,130 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 2,180 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change -10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change -60 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change -2.8% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 240 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 240 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 250 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change -10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change -4.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Information | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 270 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 260 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 250 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 8.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Financial activities | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 670 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 650 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 690 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change -20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change -2.9% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Professional and business services | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 1,880 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 1,870 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 1,910 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change -30 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change -1.6% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Private education and health services | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 2,860 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 2,850 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 2,810 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 10 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 50 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 1.8% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Leisure and hospitality | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 2,640 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 2,510 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 2,610 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 130 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 30 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 1.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Other services | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 970 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 970 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 950 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 0 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 20 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 2.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Government | Mar 2025 (Prelim) 4,860 | Feb 2025 (Revised) 4,780 | Mar 2024 (Revised) 4,810 | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change 80 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change 50 | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change 1.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated April 17, 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, Island County 2023 annual average
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.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Island County was 18,095 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 Island County was $55,071 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (4,588)
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Retail trade (2,267)
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Accommodation and food services (2,220)
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Health care and social assistance (2,020)
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Construction (1,314)
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Professional, scientific, technical ($112,683)
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Finance and insurance ($106,646)
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Mining and Utilities* ($91,835)
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Wholesale trade ($84,675)
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Information ($74,181)
Workforce demographics in Island County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 16 years and over | Total 73,254 | Labor force participation rate 57.0% | Unemployment rate 4.7% |
| Demographic characteristic 16 to 19 years | Total 3,479 | Labor force participation rate 46.5% | Unemployment rate 22.8% |
| Demographic characteristic 20 to 24 years | Total 5,779 | Labor force participation rate 91.2% | Unemployment rate 11.9% |
| Demographic characteristic 25 to 29 years | Total 5,632 | Labor force participation rate 80.5% | Unemployment rate 3.1% |
| Demographic characteristic 30 to 34 years | Total 5,445 | Labor force participation rate 82.9% | Unemployment rate 3.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 35 to 44 years | Total 10,114 | Labor force participation rate 82.6% | Unemployment rate 4.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 45 to 54 years | Total 8,285 | Labor force participation rate 81.7% | Unemployment rate 3.1% |
| Demographic characteristic 55 to 59 years | Total 5,106 | Labor force participation rate 75.2% | Unemployment rate 2.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 60 to 64 years | Total 6,774 | Labor force participation rate 49.7% | Unemployment rate 3.0% |
| Demographic characteristic 65 to 74 years | Total 13,659 | Labor force participation rate 19.5% | Unemployment rate 1.5% |
| Demographic characteristic 75 years and over | Total 8,981 | Labor force participation rate 8.9% | Unemployment rate 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic White alone | Total 59,206 | Labor force participation rate 54.6% | Unemployment rate 4.7% |
| Demographic characteristic Black or African American alone | Total 2,014 | Labor force participation rate 76.8% | Unemployment rate 5.2% |
| Demographic characteristic American Indian and Alaska Native alone | Total 717 | Labor force participation rate 71.5% | Unemployment rate 3.8% |
| Demographic characteristic Asian alone | Total 3,777 | Labor force participation rate 62.9% | Unemployment rate 5.7% |
| Demographic characteristic Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | Total 281 | Labor force participation rate 91.1% | Unemployment rate 0.0% |
| Demographic characteristic Some other race alone | Total 1,467 | Labor force participation rate 78.5% | Unemployment rate 2.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Two or more races | Total 5,792 | Labor force participation rate 61.3% | Unemployment rate 4.0% |
| Demographic characteristic Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | Total 5,209 | Labor force participation rate 75.8% | Unemployment rate 6.6% |
| Demographic characteristic White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | Total 57,586 | Labor force participation rate 53.9% | Unemployment rate 4.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Population 20 to 64 years | Total 47,135 | Labor force participation rate 77.8% | Unemployment rate 4.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Male | Total 24,351 | Labor force participation rate 84.9% | Unemployment rate 4.6% |
| Demographic characteristic Female | Total 22,784 | Labor force participation rate 70.2% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 18 | Total 7,543 | Labor force participation rate 68.8% | Unemployment rate 2.1% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 only | Total 2,419 | Labor force participation rate 68.6% | Unemployment rate 4.5% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | Total 1,787 | Labor force participation rate 64.7% | Unemployment rate 0.9% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children 6 to 17 only | Total 3,337 | Labor force participation rate 71.1% | Unemployment rate 1.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Below poverty level | Total 3,314 | Labor force participation rate 35.6% | Unemployment rate 11.3% |
| Demographic characteristic At or above the poverty level | Total 41,866 | Labor force participation rate 80.3% | Unemployment rate 4.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With any disability | Total 5,632 | Labor force participation rate 54.2% | Unemployment rate 5.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 25 to 64 years | Total 41,356 | Labor force participation rate 75.9% | Unemployment rate 3.5% |
| Demographic characteristic Less than high school graduate | Total 1,946 | Labor force participation rate 61.4% | Unemployment rate 9.6% |
| Demographic characteristic High school graduate (includes equivalency) | Total 10,107 | Labor force participation rate 76.7% | Unemployment rate 3.1% |
| Demographic characteristic Some college or associate's degree | Total 16,605 | Labor force participation rate 73.7% | Unemployment rate 3.5% |
| Demographic characteristic Bachelor's degree or higher | Total 12,698 | Labor force participation rate 80.3% | Unemployment rate 3.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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