San Juan County’s unemployment rate is up from last year’s average of 4.8 percent, reaching 6.8 percent so far in 2016. In comparison, King county has the best unemployment rate in the state at 5.2 percent in January and an average of 4.4 percent overall in 2015. Alternatively, Ferry county in North Eastern Washington had a January unemployment rate of 13.3 percent, with an average of 10.2 percent in 2015.

County unemployment numbers for January were released on March 15. The numbers released only reflect the month of January so far, and will fluctuate throughout the year. There is a traditional influx of population in the summer due to an economy based on tourism which typically lowers the unemployment rate for a few months in peak season. The unemployment rate in January is usually higher than other months of the year.

You can view the county unemployment rates and employment data for January 2016 online, and use the historical estimates report to view prior months’ data.