Pend Oreille County profile

March 2025 Highlights

In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.3% to 6.4% and total nonfarm employment increased by 6.1% over the year.

Pend Oreille County profile

Pend Oreille County is in the northeast corner of Washington state. It is part of the Spokane Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Spokane and Stevens counties. Pend Oreille’s total population was estimated at 14,361 as of 2023. The largest age demographic is people 65 to 74 years of age at 17.5% of total population. 

Major development in the 1930s with the creation of Lake Roosevelt spurred jobs, electricity, and irrigation. Mining, particularly gold, has historically been significant, with the Republic mines being major producers in the 20th century. However, mining has been in decline since 2018. 

Federal, state, and local government jobs on public lands, such as the United States Forest Service, have helped mitigate some job losses. Around 327 employers demand labor in Pend Oreille County. Around 5,147 workers make up the labor force, with an average unemployment rate of 6.0% in 2023.  

Pend Oreille County geographic overview

 

Pend Oreille County is known for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city of Newport serves as both the county seat and the largest city in Pend Oreille County.

The county spans 1,425 square miles, including 24 square miles of water. Its terrain features forests, mountains, and several lakes and rivers, offering abundant recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.

Pend Oreille County was created out of Stevens County in 1911 and is named after the Pend d'Oreilles Native American tribe.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Pend Oreille County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Pend Oreille employment situation for March 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

• As of March 2025, Pend Oreille County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.

• Pend Oreille County has more than 4,921 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 3.0% or 151 workers from March 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 2.0% or 95 workers over the year. Unemployed workers decreased by 15.1% or 56 workers. About 316 people were unemployed and looking for work.

• The unemployment rate in the county was 6.4% in March 2025, which decreased from 7.6% in February 2025 and from 7.3% in March 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics

Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Pend Oreille

• As of March 2025, total nonfarm employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,320 jobs. This increased by 30 jobs or 0.9% over the month and 140 jobs or 4.4% growth from March 2024. Private sectors, with 1,560 jobs, saw an increase of 10 jobs or 0.6% over the month and 90 jobs or 6.1% from March 2024 to March 2025.

• Goods producing sectors, with 350 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 2.9% over the month and 60 jobs or 20.7% from March 2024.

  • Mining, logging, and construction remained unchanged over the month, and increased by 40 jobs or 66.7% from March 2024.

  • Manufacturing, totaling 80 jobs, remained unchanged from over the month and over the year.

• Service providing sectors, with 2,970 jobs, increased by 20 jobs or 0.7% over the month and increased by 90 jobs or 3.1% from March 2024.

  • Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 280 jobs, decreased by 10 jobs or 3.4% over the month and remained unchanged over the year.

  • Information and financial activities remained unchanged over the month and over the year.

  • Professional and business services, with 220 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 4.8% over the month and decreased by 10 jobs or 4.3%, over the year.

  • Private education and health services, with 270 jobs, remained unchanged over the month and increased by 10 jobs or 3.8% over the year.

  • Leisure and hospitality, with 270 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 3.8% over the month and 30 jobs or 12.5% over the year.

• Government services including public educational services totaled 1,760 jobs, increased by 20 jobs or 1.1% over the month and 60 jobs or 3.5% from March 2024.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Pend Oreille County

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.

Total covered employment

Employment by industry, Pend Oreille County 2023 annual average

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

The average annual covered employment in Pend Oreille County was 3,185 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 Pend Oreille was $58,210 during 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment during 2023:

• Government (1678)
• Health care and social assistance (264)
• Retail trade (249)
• Accommodation and food services (232)
• Construction (160)

Top five sectors in terms of earnings during 2023:

• Administrative and waste services ($110,057)
• Professional, scientific, and technical services ($107,527)
• Other ($97,708)
• Government ($67,972)
• Manufacturing ($57,464)

Workforce demographics in Pend Oreille County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 86.5%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 16.6%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 65.4%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (71.1%) compared to female workers (59.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 71.5%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 39.3%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Pend Oreille County.

Age

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status 

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