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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.8% to 6.6% (2,272 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 250 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 27,520 jobs).
Lewis County's labor market highlights
- Lewis County is a gateway between the lumber producing regions of Western Washington and major transportation routes.
- Wood product manufacturing is a major industry, accounting for about 1,500 of the county's 3,000 manufacturing jobs.
- Other major industries include government, health care and social assistance, retail trade and accommodation and food services.
- Employment in wholesale trade increased dramatically after the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly doubling from 2019 to 2024.
Contact Lewis County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Lewis County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Lewis County is known as the Centralia MSA.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 6.6% in Lewis County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Lewis County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 34,304 | 34,168 | 33,442 |
| Employed persons | 32,032 | 32,198 | 31,387 |
| Persons seeking work | 2,272 | 1,970 | 2,055 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.8% | 6.1% |
Lewis County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
Lewis County's unemployment rate shows more volatility than the statewide rate, spiking during the winter months but remaining fairly steady during the spring, summer and fall.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.0% | 6.6% | 5.8% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.5% | 4.8% | 5.5% | 5.6% | 6.5% |
|
6.7% | 7.1% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 4.8% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 4.7% | 5.4% | 6.0% | 6.1% |
|
6.4% | 7.2% | 5.6% | 4.9% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 6.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Lewis County had 27,520 jobs.
In November 2025, there were 250 fewer jobs (27,270 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 70 more jobs in Goods-producing industries. Construction was the biggest contributor to this increase.
- 180 more jobs in Service-providing industries. Government and Leisure and hospitality were the biggest contributors to this increase.
In December 2024, there were 610 fewer jobs (26,910 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 310 (6.5%) more jobs in Government. The majority of this increase was in local government, which includes local public education.
- 160 (5.8%) more jobs in Leisure and hospitality.
- 90 (6.4%) fewer jobs in Wholesale trade.
- 90 (5.4%) fewer jobs in Transportation, warehousing and utilities. This industry saw slow or negative employment growth in 2025, compared to relatively strong post-pandemic levels.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Private education and health services, which added 100 jobs (2.2%) over the year. This continues a trend of slow but steady growth.
Employment estimates for Lewis County
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 27,520 | 27,270 | 26,910 | 250 | 610 | 2.3% |
| - Private | 22,470 | 22,290 | 22,170 | 180 | 300 | 1.4% |
| - Government | 5,060 | 4,980 | 4,750 | 80 | 310 | 6.5% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 5,060 | 4,990 | 5,020 | 70 | 40 | 0.8% |
| - Mining and logging | 460 | 450 | 430 | 10 | 30 | 7.0% |
| - Construction | 1,390 | 1,350 | 1,370 | 40 | 20 | 1.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 3,210 | 3,190 | 3,220 | 20 | -10 | -0.3% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 22,460 | 22,280 | 21,900 | 180 | 560 | 2.6% |
| - Wholesale trade | 1,310 | 1,320 | 1,400 | -10 | -90 | -6.4% |
| - Retail trade | 3,760 | 3,780 | 3,640 | -20 | 120 | 3.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 1,580 | 1,560 | 1,670 | 20 | -90 | -5.4% |
| - Information | 190 | 170 | 200 | 20 | -10 | -5.0% |
| - Financial activities | 700 | 700 | 690 | 0 | 10 | 1.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,540 | 1,540 | 1,480 | 0 | 60 | 4.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 4,740 | 4,740 | 4,640 | 0 | 100 | 2.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,930 | 2,850 | 2,770 | 80 | 160 | 5.8% |
| - Other services | 650 | 640 | 640 | 10 | 10 | 1.6% |
| - Government | 5,060 | 4,980 | 4,750 | 80 | 310 | 6.5% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 2026 The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns use North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2024’s annual average was 27,150 total covered employees.
- Government - 4,821 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 4,235 jobs.
- Retail trade - 3,644 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 3,204 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 2,538 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $58,702 for covered employees.
- Utilities - $141,993.
- Mining - $83,738.
- Finance and insurance - $75,620.
- Information - $74,242.
- Manufacturing - $71,284.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics for Lewis County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 67,977 | 55.3% | 5.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,923 | 45.4% | 22.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 4,160 | 75.3% | 14.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 4,969 | 73.7% | 6.8% |
| 30 to 34 years | 5,143 | 79.1% | 4.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 10,250 | 73.3% | 4.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 9,861 | 76.3% | 2.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 5,455 | 65.2% | 2.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6,437 | 56.5% | 6.1% |
| 65 to 74 years | 10,792 | 22.1% | 3.4% |
| 75 years and over | 6,987 | 4.8% | 2.7% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 58,471 | 54.0% | 5.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 498 | 50.4% | 3.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 667 | 49.8% | 7.2% |
| Asian alone | 831 | 75.8% | 7.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 183 | 60.1% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,849 | 62.0% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 5,478 | 64.5% | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 6,003 | 71.6% | 5.2% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 56,770 | 53.2% | 5.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 46,275 | 71.5% | 5.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 23,373 | 77.7% | 6.3% |
| Female | 22,902 | 65.2% | 4.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 8,012 | 69.5% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,520 | 56.4% | 8.4% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,958 | 56.8% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 4,534 | 79.4% | 3.6% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 6,140 | 37.6% | 20.1% |
| At or above the poverty level | 39,897 | 77.1% | 4.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 8,029 | 42.6% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 42,115 | 71.1% | 4.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 4,090 | 60.1% | 9.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 13,457 | 63.3% | 5.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 16,245 | 73.7% | 3.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8,323 | 84.2% | 2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status.
Funding
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.