- Posted April 2025
Summary
Stevens County is located near the northeast corner of Washington state. It is part of the Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Spokane and Pend Oreille counties. Stevens County contains most of the Spokane Indian Reservation (237.5 square miles). The county has over 48,837 residents and the largest demographic is people 65 to 74 years of age at 15.7% share of total population.
Stevens County was historically a top silver and copper producer from the 1850s to 1910. Forest products also played a major role. Its economy has diversified over the past 20 years, shifting from resource extraction to service-providing jobs and manufacturing. Stevens County has higher unemployment rates and lower labor force participation rates compared to the state averages.
Recovery from the last recession has been slow, with recent job increases. Growth has been driven by demand in housing, recreational markets, and machinery manufacturing. Health care employment has grown due to an increase in retirees and changing demographics, especially in assisted care centers. Government is the largest employment sector, accounting for over 30% of jobs, with increases expected in federal border protection and firefighting roles. There are around 983 firms demanding around 11,400 workers in the county. The labor supply is around 19,189 workers; 6.0% were unemployed in 2023.
Stevens County geographic overview
Stevens County is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Colville serves as the county seat and is the largest city in Stevens County.
The county spans 2,541 square miles, including 91 square miles of water. Its landscape features forests, mountains, and numerous lakes and rivers, offering a variety of recreational activities.
Stevens County was created in 1863 and is named after Isaac Stevens, the first governor of Washington Territory.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Stevens County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Stevens County employment situation for February 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment in Stevens County, Washington
- As of February 2025, Stevens County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.
- Stevens County has over 18,433 people in the labor force, with a decrease of -5.0% or -972 workers from February 2024. Employed workforce decreased by -4.6% or -818 workers over-the-year. Unemployed workers decreased by -9.4% or –154 workers. About 1,486 people were unemployed and looking for work.
- The unemployment rate in the county was 8.1% in February 2025, which increased from 7.3% in January 2025 and unemployment rate decreased from 8.5% in February 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 Stevens County
- As of February 2025, total nonfarm employment in Stevens County was 11,570 jobs, recorded an increase of 110 jobs or 1.0% over-the-month and recording total of 290 jobs or 2.6% growth from last February 2024. Private sectors, totaling 8,120 jobs, increased by 90 jobs or 1.1% over-the-month, and recorded an increase of 240 jobs or 3.0% from February 2024 to February 2025.
- Goods producing sectors, with 2,010 jobs, recorded an increase of 60 jobs or 3.1% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 140 jobs or 7.5% from February 2024.
- Mining, logging, and construction with 760 jobs increased by 50 jobs or 7.0% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 70 jobs or 10.1% over-the-year.
- Manufacturing, totaling 1,250 jobs, recorded an increase of 10 jobs or 0.8% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 70 jobs or 5.9% over-the-year.
- Service providing sectors, with total of 9,560 jobs, increased by 50 jobs or 0.5% over-the-month and increased by 160 jobs or 1.7% from February 2024.
- Trade, transportation, and utilities totaled with 1,960, recorded an increase of 30 jobs or 1.6% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 60 jobs or 3.2% over-the-year.
- Information and financial activities sectors with total of 380 jobs, remained unchanged over-the-month and recorded an increase of 10 jobs or 2.7% change over-the-year.
- Professional and business services with total 590 jobs, increased by 10 jobs or 1.7% over-the-month and recorded a decrease of -20 jobs or -3.3% over-the-year.
- Private education and health services, with total of 2,010 jobs, decreased by -10 jobs or -0.5% over-the-month, while recording an increase of 90 jobs or 4.7% over-the-year.
- Leisure and hospitality totaled 900 jobs, recorded an increase of 10 jobs or 1.1% over-the-month and recording a decrease of -30 jobs or -3.2% over-the-year.
- Government services including public educational services totaled 3,450 jobs, increased by 30 jobs or 0.9% over-the-month and increased by 60 jobs or 1.8% from February 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Stevens 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 | 11,570 | 11,460 | 11,280 | 110 | 290 | 2.6% |
| - Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 8,120 | 8,030 | 7,880 | 90 | 240 | 3.0% |
| - - Goods-producing | 2,010 | 1,950 | 1,870 | 60 | 140 | 7.5% |
| - - - - - Mining and logging | 270 | 260 | 240 | 10 | 30 | 12.5% |
| - - - - - Construction | 490 | 460 | 450 | 10 | 30 | 6.7% |
| - - - - Manufacturing | 1,250 | 1,240 | 1,180 | 50 | 70 | 5.9% |
| - - Service-providing | 9,560 | 9,510 | 9,400 | 50 | 160 | 1.7% |
| - - - - - Wholesale trade | 240 | 230 | 230 | 10 | 10 | 4.3% |
| - - - - - Retail trade | 1,270 | 1,260 | 1,210 | 10 | 60 | 5.0% |
| - - - - - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 460 | 440 | 460 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Information | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 | 10 | 16.7% |
| - - - - Financial activities | 310 | 310 | 310 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - Professional and business services | 590 | 580 | 610 | 10 | -20 | -3.3% |
| - - - - Private education and health services | 2,010 | 2,020 | 1,920 | -10 | 90 | 4.7% |
| - - - - Leisure and hospitality | 900 | 890 | 930 | 10 | -30 | -3.2% |
| - - - - Other services | 270 | 270 | 270 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - Government | 3,450 | 3,420 | 3,390 | 30 | 60 | 1.8% |
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)
Total covered employment in Stevens County
Employment by industry, Stevens County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Stevens County was 11,405 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. Total covered wages in Stevens County were $573.9 million, with an average annual wage of $50,324 in 2023.
Government services including public education was the largest employer with 3,336 jobs, with average annual wage of $55,892. Health care and social assistance was the second largest employing industry with 1,893 jobs and average annual wage of $52,301. Retail trade and manufacturing followed with 1,279 and 1,225 jobs, respectively. Retail trade paid an average of $34,809 dollars a year, while manufacturing paid annual average of $61,349.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (3,336)
- Healthcare and social assistance (1,893)
- Retail trade (1,276)
- Manufacturing (1,242)
- Accommodation and food services (665)
Top sectors in terms of wages in 2023:
- Management of companies and enterprises ($85,922)
- Finance and insurance ($77,041)
- Information ($65,932)
- Manufacturing ($61,349)
- Government ($55,892)
Workforce demographics in Stevens County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 77.1%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 22.7%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 66.3%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (71.5%) compared to female workers (61.1%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 82.0%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 47.6%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Stevens County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 38,727 | 49.5% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,264 | 38.7% | 13.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,051 | 65.0% | 17.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,205 | 77.1% | 5.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,342 | 71.3% | 5.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 5,152 | 73.4% | 4.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,434 | 74.2% | 4.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,061 | 57.3% | 1.7% |
| 60 to 64 years | 4,501 | 47.5% | 1.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 7,457 | 22.7% | 3.7% |
| 75 years and over | 4,260 | 4.7% | 4.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 34,067 | 49.2% | 4.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 154 | 52.6% | 38.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,410 | 50.4% | 20.1% |
| Asian alone | 389 | 62.7% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 68 | 60.3% | 7.3% |
| Some other race alone | 492 | 60.4% | 7.4% |
| Two or more races | 2,147 | 48.5% | 6.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,302 | 58.4% | 12.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 33,500 | 49.0% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 24,746 | 66.3% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12,383 | 71.5% | 5.6% |
| Female | 12,363 | 61.1% | 4.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,229 | 64.5% | 5.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 831 | 51.0% | 5.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 803 | 44.6% | 3.9% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,595 | 75.0% | 5.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,201 | 26.7% | 34.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 21,517 | 72.3% | 3.4% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 4,279 | 30.1% | 9.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 22,695 | 66.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,726 | 47.6% | 11.1% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 7,792 | 60.6% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 8,800 | 67.6% | 4.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,377 | 82.0% | 0.9% |
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