Whatcom County’s unemployment rate increases three months in a row, state’s stays consistent

Whatcom County’s unemployment rate increased, with more people unemployed in August than July, as Washington state’s unemployment rate stayed consistent.

Whatcom County unemployment

Whatcom County had a 4.2% unemployment rate in August with 4,774 unemployed people in the county, an increase of almost 800 unemployed people compared to July.

In July, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate was 3.4%, with 3,982 residents receiving unemployment benefits.

In August 2022, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate was 5.3%, with 6,101 residents receiving unemployment, 1,327 more residents unemployed compared to August 2023.

Whatcom County’s unemployment rate has decreased since April 2020, when it hit an extreme high of 17.4%.

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 August 2023 monthly employment report showed no change in Washington’s unemployment numbers from July to August, remaining at 3.6%.

In August, 146,100 people in the state were unemployed, 1,300 less than July 2023, according to the report.

In August 2022, 170,300 people in the state were unemployed, 24,200 more than August 2023.

All data comes from the Washington State Employment Security Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.