Interactive chart, map show the unemployment rate in your WA county and how it’s changed
Throughout the past three years unemployment rates have drastically varied.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total civilian employment in America dropped by 21 million from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020. Unemployment rates more than tripled, skyrocketing from 3.6% to 13%.
According to the Washington State Employment Security Department’s monthly employment report, in February 2022 Washington added 31,700 jobs and the unemployment rate decreased to 4.3%.
This graph of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the change in unemployment rates by county since January 2020 and how each county in Washington state measured up to the others:
According to the data, Pierce County had the highest unemployment rate, reaching 18.6% in April 2020.
King County had the most consistent low rates of unemployment, with only 2.5% in February 2020, and now almost back to that same number, with a 3.7% in January 2022.
Since these fluctuations in the past years, unemployment rates have now been less drastic. According to this map of Washington state, current unemployment rates by county vary widely:
As of February 2022, King County has the lowest level of unemployment at only 3.7%. Most Washington state counties range between 5%-6% unemployment rates, such as Pierce, Whatcom, Thurston and Lewis.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of February 2022, Ferry County has the highest unemployment rate in the state with 10.7%.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Interactive chart, map show the unemployment rate in your WA county and how it’s changed."
