Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.5% to 5.7%, and total nonfarm employment increased by 20 jobs over April 2025.
Summary
Wahkiakum County has a small, rural economy, centered around the forestry sector. Other main industries include local government, retail trade, manufacturing, and accommodation and food services. Retirees and older workers make up a significant portion of the population.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in Wahkiakum County hit a peak of 14.3%. The unemployment rate is consistently one of the highest among Washington’s 39 counties, though it also has a high degree of seasonality.
Location
Wahkiakum County is one of the smallest in Washington in both size and population. It is located in the southwest of the state, along the Columbia River. The Wahkiakum County Ferry connects the town of Cathlamet to Clatsop County, Oregon, across the river. Other neighboring counties are Cowlitz County to the east, and Pacific and Lewis counties to the north.
Wahkiakum County, along with neighboring Clark and Cowlitz Counties, makes up Washington’s seventh Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 workforce regions.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7% in May 2025, up from 5.5% in the previous month and down from 7.3% in May 2024.
- The total civilian labor force was 1,253 in May 2025, and was little changed from 1,234 in May 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
-
Total nonfarm employment was 770 in May 2025, not seasonally adjusted. This was up by 20 jobs from the previous month, and up by 30 jobs (4.1%) from May 2024.
- Over the year, goods producing industries added 20 jobs and service providing industries added 10 jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wahkiakum County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 770 | 750 | 740 | 20 | 30 | 4.1% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 460 | 470 | 450 | -10 | 10 | 2.2% |
| Goods-producing | 140 | 140 | 120 | 0 | 20 | 16.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 40 | 40 | 30 | 0 | 10 | 33.3% |
| - Construction | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 630 | 610 | 620 | 20 | 10 | 1.6% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 100 | 100 | 110 | 0 | -10 | -9.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 90 | 90 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 30 | 30 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 50.0% |
| - Financial activities | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 60 | 60 | 70 | 0 | -10 | -14.3% |
| - Other services | 20 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 310 | 290 | 290 | 20 | 20 | 6.9% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 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 reflects the rural nature of Wahkiakum County. Government is the largest employer by far, specifically local government. Agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting industries make up a relatively large portion of the region’s employment as well as some of the highest average wages.
Employment by industry, Wahkiakum County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Wahkiakum County was 772 and the average annual wage was $42,910 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.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (277)
- Retail trade (94)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (93)
- Manufacturing (63)
- Accommodation and food services (57)
The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Information ($62,603)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($61,501)
- Finance and insurance ($55,339)
- Construction ($52,928)
- Government ($48,933)
Workforce demographics for Wahkiakum County
Wahkiakum County is one of the smallest in the state, both in area as well as population. The 16 and over population is 3,795, with a labor force participation rate of 41.9%. This low rate is due to the large number of older residents. Estimates across different demographic groups tend to have wide margins of error due to sample size, and should be interpreted carefully.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Wahkiakum County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 3,795 | 41.9% | 2.6% |
| 16 to 19 years | 103 | 59.2% | 0.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 199 | 75.9% | 11.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 162 | 72.8% | 3.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 176 | 70.5% | 0.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 430 | 76.0% | 3.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 454 | 59.9% | 0.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 248 | 69.8% | 5.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 544 | 36.6% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 884 | 13.6% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 595 | 7.4% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 3,329 | 41.6% | 0.9% |
| Black or African American alone | 13 | 0.0% | - |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4 | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 80 | 62.5% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 5 | 0.0% | - |
| Some other race alone | 94 | 47.9% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 270 | 39.3% | 27.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 211 | 69.2% | 11.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 3,249 | 40.5% | 0.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 2,213 | 61.6% | 3.1% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,046 | 70.3% | 1.5% |
| Female | 1,167 | 53.9% | 4.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 374 | 51.1% | 2.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 87 | 46.0% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 112 | 41.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 175 | 60.0% | 4.8% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 438 | 25.6% | 4.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 1,764 | 71.0% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 341 | 46.0% | 3.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 2,014 | 60.2% | 2.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 202 | 75.7% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 628 | 63.5% | 1.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 827 | 51.1% | 4.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 357 | 66.7% | 0.0% |
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.