Whatcom County’s latest unemployment data shows surprising change after months of growth
Whatcom County’s unemployment rate decreased after three months of increases, with fewer people unemployed in September than August, as Washington state’s unemployment rate stayed consistent.
Whatcom County unemployment
Whatcom County had a 3.7% unemployment rate in September with 4,114 unemployed people in the county, a decrease of 627 unemployed people compared to August.
In August, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate was 4.2%, with 4,741 residents receiving unemployment benefits.
In September 2022, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, with 5,133 residents receiving unemployment, 1,019 more residents unemployed compared to September 2023.
Whatcom County’s unemployment rate hit an extreme high of 17.4% in April 2020, and since then has fluctuated.
Since 2020, the county’s unemployment rate had both slight increases and decreases until dropping to a low of 3.1% in May 2023.
Washington state unemployment rates
The Washington State Employment Security Department’s September 2023 monthly employment report showed no change in Washington’s unemployment numbers from August to September, remaining at 3.6% for the third month in a row.
In September, 146,934 people in the state were unemployed, 834 more than August 2023, according to the report.
In September 2022, 177,698 people in the state were unemployed, 30,764 more than September 2023.
All data comes from the Washington State Employment Security Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
