Posted July 2025
June 2025 highlights
In June, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 4.6% to 3.7%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 1,400 jobs in the Wenatchee MSA from June 2024 to June 2025.
Summary
Douglas county’s labor force was 20,875 workers with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.7% in June 2025. Total nonfarm employment in the Wenatchee metropolitan district was 49,200 jobs in June 2025, a decrease of 1,400 jobs from June 2024, but an increase of 500 jobs from May 2025. In Douglas County, total covered employment grew from 10,926 jobs in 2013 to 12,358 jobs in 2023, up by 1,432 jobs (13.1%). Retail trade accounted for 40% of all covered jobs added from 2013 to 2023. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,342 jobs out of 12,358 total annual average employment. The county has 1,095 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Douglas County’s 16 and older population was 34,059 in 2023.
Geography
Douglas County, located in central Washington, is between Wenatchee, the Colville Reservation, and the banks of the Columbia River.
It is part of the Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), comprised of Chelan and Douglas counties. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, covering north central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for June 2025
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% in June 2025, down from 3.9% in June 2024.
-
The June 2025 labor force of 20,875 workers decreased by 470 from June 2024.
-
The total number of employed workers was 20,112, a decrease of 398 workers from June 2024 to June 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics.
Payroll employment, Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
- Total nonfarm employment was 49,200 jobs in June 2025. Total employment increased by 500 jobs from May 2025 but decreased 1,400 jobs from June 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality, at 7,600 jobs, increased by 400 jobs from May 2025 and has remained unchanged from June 2024.
- Mining, logging and construction employment decreased by 300 jobs from June 2024 to June 2025 and now sits at 3,700 jobs.
- Private education and health services, at 8,800 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs from May 2025 to June 2025, but increased by 300 jobs from June 2024.
- Government, at 9,800 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs from May 2025 to June 2025, and decreased 200 jobs from June 2024. Federal and local government have both decreased 100 jobs from June 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wenatchee MSA
| 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 | 49,200 | 48,700 | 50,600 | 500 | -1,400 | -2.8% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 39,400 | 38,800 | 40,600 | 600 | -1,200 | -3.0% |
| Goods-producing | 6,500 | 6,400 | 6,900 | 100 | -400 | -5.8% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,700 | 3,700 | 4,000 | 0 | -300 | -7.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,800 | 2,700 | 2,900 | 100 | -100 | -3.4% |
| Service-providing | 42,700 | 42,300 | 43,700 | 400 | -1,000 | -2.3% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,800 | 9,400 | 10,000 | 400 | -200 | -2.0% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,400 | 0 | -200 | -3.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 8,800 | 8,900 | 8,500 | -100 | 300 | 3.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 7,600 | 7,200 | 7,600 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 9,800 | 9,900 | 10,000 | -100 | -200 | -2.0% |
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, Douglas County 2023 annual average
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.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW).
Average annual covered employment in Douglas County was 12,358 in 2023. The average annual wage was $49,790. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (2,342).
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (2,281).
- Retail trade (1,941).
- Accommodation and food services (1,041).
- Healthcare and social assistance (850).
Workforce demographics in Douglas County
Douglas County’s 16 and older population was 34,059 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 64.4% and the average unemployment rate was 4.0 %.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Douglas County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 34,059 | 64.4% | 4.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,373 | 43.9% | 8.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,518 | 77.7% | 10.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,679 | 81.3% | 3.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,869 | 90.3% | 2.6% |
| 35 to 44 years | 5,517 | 85.5% | 3.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 4,913 | 87.1% | 2.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,064 | 73.1% | 4.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 2,244 | 58.5% | 7.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,643 | 30.3% | 1.5% |
| 75 years and over | 3,239 | 6.1% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 22,750 | 58.2% | 4.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 190 | 41.1% | 3.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 294 | 56.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian alone | 319 | 59.9% | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 49 | 77.6% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 7,417 | 80.0% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 3,040 | 74.4% | 4.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 10,214 | 80.2% | 4.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 21,916 | 57.1% | 3.7% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 23,804 | 81.0% | 4.1% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12,486 | 86.2% | 4.3% |
| Female | 11,318 | 75.2% | 3.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,866 | 78.8% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,075 | 64.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 896 | 77.1% | 1.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,895 | 84.6% | 2.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,895 | 36.7% | 11.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 21,909 | 84.8% | 3.8% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,409 | 53.9% | 2.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,286 | 81.4% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 4,221 | 81.0% | 3.6% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,211 | 75.7% | 5.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,429 | 83.5% | 3.5% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,425 | 86.4% | 0.6% |
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.