OLYMPIA – County unemployment rates and employment data for September 2026 are now available on the Employment Security Department website. Visit the labor force page to view historic and current data on the unemployment rate.
This month we spotlight Jefferson County. Toby Paterson, regional labor economist for the north sound region of Washington, said, “Jefferson County shed 40 jobs over the month, but the count was 180 jobs above last year’s count. Private education and health services lost 120 jobs while leisure and hospitality gained 60 jobs. Nondurable goods manufacturing added 20 jobs and Trade transportation and utilities added 20 jobs.”
Paterson added, “The unemployment rate in Jefferson County continues lower at 3.5%, which is the lowest rate observed when comparing the rate for September over the past five years. The size of the labor force estimated at 12,356 workers — larger than September estimates over the past five years.”
In case you missed it, find September’s monthly employment report news release on Employment Security’s website.
To learn more about monthly job gains and losses from payroll data, check out the employment estimates on the Employment Security Website.
Please keep in mind:
Unemployment rates and employment estimates at the county level are not seasonally adjusted because the sample size is too small for some counties to accommodate the additional analysis. Therefore, they should not be compared directly to the seasonally adjusted statewide rate published in the latest Monthly Employment Report.
Employment Security has labor market information and tools to showcase popular information and data.
Learn more about unemployment and the economy for each county by viewing the county profiles. The information in the county profiles is updated within three days of the release of the county unemployment numbers.