Posted December 2025

September 2025 highlights

Compared to August 2025, the unemployment rate decreased to 3.7% (225 unemployed individuals). 

Employers reported 20 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 2,280) in Skamania County.

Summary

Skamania County continued to experience notable economic shifts through 2024 and into 2025, building on its long-term transition from a timber-reliant economy to one increasingly centered on tourism, recreation and small-scale services. According to the latest QCEW data, average annual employment in 2024 was approximately 2,197, reflecting a slight decline from 2023. Total payroll reached $121.42 million, an average annual wage of $55,267.

The tourism sector remains a vital component of Skamania County’s economy. While the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp employment losses, the years following, especially 2021 through 2023, saw gradual recovery. However, 2024 marked a 3.4% decline in total nonfarm employment, indicating renewed challenges in service-based sectors.

As of August 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 4.4%, an increase from 4.3% in July and reflecting a stable labor market. The labor force numbered 5,949, with 261 individuals actively seeking work, down 0.3% from the previous year. This trend aligns with broader state and national patterns of gradual labor market tightening.

Major infrastructure and development projects continue to shape the county’s economic landscape. These include the Goldendale Energy Storage Project, the Port of Skamania’s Cascades Business Park and Skamania PUD’s water system upgrades — all aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, utility resilience and long-term job creation.

Skamania County geographic overview

Skamania County is in the southwestern part of Washington. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area. The town of Stevenson is the county seat. Carson is the largest community in the county. Skamania County’s population was 12,036 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 12,460, which is 3.5% growth from the 2020 census.

The county covers 1,683 square miles, including 28 square miles of water. It features a mix of forested areas and rugged terrain marked by rivers and mountains.

Skamania County was created out of Clark County in 1854 and derives its name from a Chinook word meaning swift waters.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Skamania County is part of Area 9, South Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Skamania County employment situation for September 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment

• Labor force (6,009 in total) grew by 70 from August to September 2025, with 106 more people employed.
• Unemployment fell by 36 people, lowering the unemployment rate from 4.4% to 3.7%.
• Compared to September 2024, the labor force is up 1.6% and employment is up 1.4%, showing modest growth.
• Unemployment is slightly higher than last year (+10 people), nudging the unemployment rate from 3.6% to 3.7%.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

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

Monthly payroll employment in Skamania County

Nonfarm employment, not seasonally adjusted:

In September 2025, this area has 2,280 total nonfarm jobs.

One month earlier, in August 2025, there were 20 fewer (2,260 in total).

Compared to August 2025, in September there are:

• Twenty more service‑providing jobs, accounting for the entire increase.
• No change in goods‑producing industries or private service-providing industries.
• Government employment increased by 30, the largest single‑industry gain.

One year ago, in September 2024, there were 30 more jobs (2,310 in total).

Compared to September 2024, in September 2025 there are:

• Ten fewer (2.4%) goods‑producing jobs, though all three components (mining/logging, construction and manufacturing) are unchanged individually.
• Ten fewer (5.3%) retail jobs, the largest decline among private industries.
• Ten more (9.1%) jobs in professional and business services, the strongest gain.
• Ten fewer (1.5%) government jobs, contributing to the overall decline.
• Most other industries show no change.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skamania County

NAICS Industry Title	Sep 2025 (Prelim)	Aug 2025 (Revised)	Sep 2024 (Revised)	Aug 2025 to Sep 2025 Change	Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 Change	Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 % Change
Total nonfarm	2,280	2,260	2,310	20	-30	-1.3%
Total private (total nonfarm less government)	1,630	1,630	1,640	0	-10	-0.6%
Goods-producing	410	410	420	0	-10	-2.4%
- Mining and logging	20	20	20	0	0	0.0%
- Construction	70	70	70	0	0	0.0%
- Manufacturing	330	330	330	0	0	0.0%
Service-providing	1,870	1,850	1,900	20	-30	-1.6%
- Wholesale trade	40	40	40	0	0	0.0%
- Retail trade	180	180	190	0	-10	-5.3%
- Transportation, warehousing, and utilities	40	40	40	0	0	0.0%
- Information	10	10	10	0	0	0.0%
- Financial activities	50	50	50	0	0	0.0%
- Professional and business services	120	120	110	0	10	9.1%
- Private education and health services	100	100	100	0	0	0.0%
- Leisure and hospitality	620	620	620	0	0	0.0%
- Other services	60	60	60	0	0	0.0%
- Government	660	630	670	30	-10	-1.5%

Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated December 8, 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 in Skamania County

In 2024, Skamania County wages totaled more than $121.42 million with an average annual wage of $55,267. Average annual covered employment was 2,197. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

The construction sector employed 62 individuals with an average wage of $79,465. Manufacturing had 314 employees earning an average of $42,132. Information industry had the highest average annual wage of $176,991, followed by professional services average annual wage of $159,147. Government and accommodation and food services had the highest employment levels.

The accommodation and food services sector was a major employer, with 563 employees earning an average of $36,161. Government employment was substantial, with 629 employees and an average wage of $64,787.

Overall, Skamania County’s employment trends reflect a diverse economy with strong contributions from construction, manufacturing and government sectors, alongside high-wage professional services.

Employment by industry, Skamania County 2024 annual average

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

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2024:

• Government (629 jobs or 28.6% employment share)

• Accommodation and food services (563 jobs or 25.6% employment share)

• Manufacturing (314 jobs or 14.3% employment share)

• Retail trade (176 jobs or 8.0% employment share)

• Health care and social assistance (94 jobs or 4.3% employment share)

• Construction (62 jobs or 2.8% employment share)

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The 2024 average annual wage in Skamania County for all industries was $55,267. Total payroll was $121.42 million.

Top sectors in terms of wages in 2024:

• Information ($176,991)

• Professional, scientific and technical services ($159,147)

• Wholesale trade ($119,040)

• Finance and insurance ($91,891)

• Construction ($79,465)

• Administrative and waste services ($76,979)

• Government ($64,787)

Workforce demographics in Skamania County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 30 to 34 years age group at 90.3%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 26.5%. Participation rate for prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 75.1%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (81.0%) compared to female workers (69.1%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 81.6%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 52.8%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Skamania County.

Age

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
Population 16 years and over	10,439	58.4%	5.7%
16 to 19 years	515	57.1%	16.0%
20 to 24 years	476	88.4%	23.0%
25 to 29 years	547	83.0%	8.1%
30 to 34 years	701	90.3%	0.3%
35 to 44 years	1,459	79.6%	4.9%
45 to 54 years	1,713	86.2%	3.8%
55 to 59 years	922	63.1%	8.6%
60 to 64 years	1,234	46.3%	0.0%
65 to 74 years	1,825	26.5%	0.4%
75 years and over	1,047	1.8%	0.0%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
White alone	9,150	57.3%	5.1%
Black or African American alone	34	38.2%	0.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone	146	52.1%	2.6%
Asian alone	142	81.7%	7.8%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone	20	55.0%	0.0%
Some other race alone	332	81.6%	2.2%
Two or more races	615	60.0%	16.8%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race)	613	84.0%	7.8%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino	8,842	56.4%	5.1%
Population 20 to 64 years	7,052	75.1%	5.6%

Sex

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
Male	3,574	81.0%	7.8%
Female	3,478	69.1%	3.1%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
With own children under 18	872	74.9%	4.0%
With own children under 6 only	181	84.5%	0.0%
With own children under 6 and 6 to 17	177	62.1%	7.3%
With own children 6 to 17 only	514	75.9%	4.6%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
Below poverty level	640	38.6%	19.4%
At or above the poverty level	6,370	79.3%	5.0%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
With any disability	726	41.5%	1.0%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic	Total	Labor force participation rate	Unemployment rate
Population 25 to 64 years	6,576	74.2%	4.1%
Less than high school graduate	468	52.8%	8.9%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	1,702	78.2%	4.4%
Some college or associate's degree	2,427	69.5%	3.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher	1,979	81.6%	4.0%

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

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