Yakima County witnessed its best ever year-over-year unemployment rates for much of 2023, with an impressive seven straight months of record low jobless levels beginning in April that year. However, a year later, the unemployment rate has risen, reaching a 6.3% figure in April, a percentage point higher than the previous year according to the state’s Employment Security Department. This marks the third consecutive month in which unemployment rates in Yakima County have escalated compared to their 2023 levels.

Regional Labor Economist Don Meseck attributes this increase to a decrease in job availability in various non-agricultural sectors. Among these sectors, leisure and hospitality and construction saw significant job losses from April 2023 to April 2024. Conversely, private health care and social assistance jobs continue to sprout in the Yakima Valley providing a silver lining to the overall scenario.

Despite the addition of some jobs, Yakima County’s civilian labor force saw a contraction over the past year, leading to the increased unemployment rate. As of April 2024, Yakima County’s jobless rate was the fifth highest amongst the state’s 39 counties.

Overall, total non-farm employment in Yakima County increased marginally by 0.4%, with 89,800 jobs reported in April 2024, compared to 89,400 in April 2023.

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