June 2025 highlights
In June, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains low and further decreased 0.5% to 3.5% over the month. Total nonfarm employment moved little increasing 100 jobs over the month.
Summary
Retail trade industry jobs showed lack luster job growth dropping by 100 jobs over the month. The leisure and hospitality industry showed growth for the county, gaining 400 jobs since last month. The number of passenger vehicle travelers entering from Canada continue to be lower than last year and continue to drag on Whatcom County commerce.
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in June 2025. This is down from 4.0% in May 2025, and down from 3.9% in June 2024. Whatcom County’s labor force was 111,475 workers. Total nonfarm employment increased by 100 jobs to 97,100 jobs from May 2025 to June 2025.
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 June 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in June 2025, down from 4.0% in May and 3.9% in June 2024.
- The labor force, at 111,475 workers, has contracted 2,733 workers since June 2024; however, the labor force added 2,050 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 June 2025, at 97,100 jobs, is up 100 jobs from May and down 900 jobs compared to June 2024.
- Goods producing industry jobs, at 17,100 jobs, were unchanged compared to May and June 2024 respectively.
- Private service providing industry jobs, at 60,900 jobs, were down 300 jobs over the year and up 200 jobs over the month.
- Trade, transportation and utilities decreased by 100 jobs since May, and 500 jobs over the year.
- Within the Trade, transportation and utilities sector, retail trade industry jobs showed lack luster job movement. These jobs dropped by 100 jobs over the month and 400 jobs over the year.
- Financial activities industry jobs were unchanged over the month and performed poorly since last year, dropping 400 jobs.
- Leisure and hospitality showed some beneficial growth for the county, gaining 400 jobs since last month and 200 jobs compared to June 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jun 2025 (Prelim) | May 2025 (Revised) | Jun 2024 (Revised) | May 2025 to Jun 2025 Change | Jun 2024 to Jun 2025 Change | Jun 2024 to Jun 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 97,100 | 97,000 | 98,000 | 100 | -900 | -0.9% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 78,000 | 77,800 | 78,300 | 200 | -300 | -0.4% |
| Goods-producing | 17,100 | 17,100 | 17,100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 7,900 | 8,000 | 8,000 | -100 | -100 | -1.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 9,200 | 9,100 | 9,100 | 100 | 100 | 1.1% |
| Service-providing | 80,000 | 79,900 | 80,900 | 100 | -900 | -1.1% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 15,900 | 16,000 | 16,400 | -100 | -500 | -3.0% |
| - Retail trade | 10,600 | 10,700 | 11,000 | -100 | -400 | -3.6% |
| - Financial activities | 3,900 | 3,900 | 4,300 | 0 | -400 | -9.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 9,200 | 9,200 | 9,500 | 0 | -300 | -3.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 10,600 | 10,200 | 10,400 | 400 | 200 | 1.9% |
| - Government | 19,100 | 19,200 | 19,700 | -100 | -600 | -3.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated July 16, 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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