July 2025 highlights
In July, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains low and further increased to 4.5% over the month. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,300 jobs over the month.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in July 2025. This is up from 3.5% in June 2025, and down from 4.8% in July 2024. Whatcom County’s labor force was 110,956 workers. There were 611 initial claim filings for unemployment insurance over the month. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,300 jobs to 95,200 jobs over the month and was 400 jobs below last year.
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 July 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in July 2025. This is up from 3.5% in June 2025, and down from 4.8% in July 2024
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The labor force, at 110,956 workers, has contracted 3,248 workers since July 2024 and was lost 557 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 in July 2025, at 95,200 jobs, lost 2,300 jobs from June and is down 400 jobs compared to July 2024.
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Goods producing industry jobs, at 18,400 jobs, was up 100 jobs over the month and was 1,200 jobs above last year.
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Private service providing industry jobs, at 60,200 jobs, were up 100 jobs over the month and were 700 jobs below last year.
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Trade, transportation and utilities gained 100 jobs since June (the gains were mostly in retail trade) and lost 500 jobs over the year.
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Leisure and hospitality was unchanged over the month and 100 jobs July 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jul 2025 (Prelim) | Jun 2025 (Revised) | Jul 2024 (Revised) | Jun 2025 to Jul 2025 Change | Jul 2024 to Jul 2025 Change | Jul 2024 to Jul 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 95,200 | 97,500 | 95,600 | -2,300 | -400 | -0.4% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 78,600 | 78,400 | 78,100 | 200 | 500 | 0.6% |
| Goods-producing | 18,400 | 18,300 | 17,200 | 100 | 1,200 | 7.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 8,800 | 8,800 | 8,100 | 0 | 700 | 8.6% |
| - Manufacturing | 9,600 | 9,500 | 9,100 | 100 | 500 | 5.5% |
| Service-providing | 76,800 | 79,200 | 78,400 | -2,400 | -1,600 | -2.0% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 15,800 | 15,700 | 16,300 | 100 | -500 | -3.1% |
| - Retail trade | 10,600 | 10,500 | 10,900 | 100 | -300 | -2.8% |
| - Financial activities | 3,900 | 3,800 | 4,300 | 100 | -400 | -9.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 9,100 | 9,100 | 9,400 | 0 | -300 | -3.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 10,500 | 10,500 | 10,400 | 0 | 100 | 1.0% |
| - Government | 16,600 | 19,100 | 17,500 | -2,500 | -900 | -5.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated August 14, 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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