Posted October 2025
August 2025 highlights
In August, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate increased from 4.2% to 4.7%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,100 jobs in the Wenatchee MSA from August 2024 to August 2025.
Summary
Douglas county’s labor force was 20,643 workers with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7% in August 2025. Total nonfarm employment in the Wenatchee metropolitan district was 48,000 jobs in August 2025, a decrease of 2,100 jobs from August 2024, and a decrease of 600 jobs from July 2025. Agriculture makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,479 jobs out of 12,545 total annual average employment in 2024. The county has 1,113 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 August 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7% in August 2025, down from 5.2% in August 2024.
- The August 2025 labor force of 20,643 workers decreased by 446 from August 2024.
- The total number of employed workers was 19,678, a decrease of 316 workers from August 2024 to August 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 48,000 jobs in August 2025. Total employment decreased by 600 jobs from July 2025 and decreased by 2,100 jobs from August 2024.
- Retail trade, at 6,200 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs from July 2025 and decreased by 300 jobs from August 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality, at 7,400 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs from July 2025 and decreased by 300 jobs from August 2024.
- Mining, logging and construction employment decreased by 200 jobs from August 2024 to August 2025 and now sits at 3,800 jobs.
- Private education and health services, at 8,800 jobs, remained unchanged from July 2025 to August 2025, but increased by 200 jobs from August 2024.
- Government, at 9,000 jobs, decreased by 400 jobs from July 2025 to August 2025, and decreased by 400 jobs from August 2024. Over the year, federal government decreased by 100 jobs, and local government decreased by 300 jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wenatchee MSA
| NAICS Industry Title | Aug 2025 (Prelim) | Jul 2025 (Revised) | Aug 2024 (Revised) | Jul 2025 to Aug 2025 Change | Aug 2024 to Aug 2025 Change | Aug 2024 to Aug 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 48,000 | 48,600 | 50,100 | -600 | -2,100 | -4.2% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 39,000 | 39,200 | 40,700 | -200 | -1,700 | -4.2% |
| Goods-producing | 6,500 | 6,500 | 7,100 | 0 | -600 | -8.5% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,800 | 3,800 | 4,000 | 0 | -200 | -5.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,700 | 2,700 | 3,100 | 0 | -400 | -12.9% |
| Service-providing | 41,500 | 42,100 | 43,000 | -600 | -1,500 | -3.5% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,400 | 9,800 | 9,800 | -400 | -400 | -4.1% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,200 | 6,300 | 6,500 | -100 | -300 | -4.6% |
| - Private education and health services | 8,800 | 8,800 | 8,600 | 0 | 200 | 2.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 7,400 | 7,500 | 7,700 | -100 | -300 | -3.9% |
| - Government | 9,000 | 9,400 | 9,400 | -400 | -400 | -4.3% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated September 15, 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 2024 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 12,545 in 2024. The average annual wage was $51,442. 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 2024:
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (2,479)
- Government (2,357)
- Retail trade (1,904)
- Accommodation and food services (1,049)
- Healthcare and social assistance (952)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2024:
-
Government ($178.8 million)
-
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($89.7 million)
-
Retail trade ($82.4 million)
-
Construction ($49 million)
-
Healthcare and social assistance ($44.1 million)
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
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