February survey shows unemployment rates rising in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington
Monthly unemployment rates for Whatcom County and Bellingham increased in February, while Washington’s rate also increased and rose to the 13th highest rate in the country.
Whatcom County
Whatcom County had a 5.5% unemployment rate in February with 5,911 unemployed people in the county, an increase of 522 unemployed people compared to January.
In January, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate was 4.9% with 5,389 residents receiving unemployment benefits, an increase compared to December.
Whatcom County’s unemployment rate decreased compared to the previous year, as the February 2024 unemployment rate was 6.5%.
Bellingham
The city of Bellingham’s unemployment rate also increased month to month. The city’s unemployment rate was 5.1% in February with 2,427 people unemployed, an increase from January’s 4.5% unemployment rate with 2,220 people unemployed.
Washington state
Washington’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from January to February, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department’s February 2025 monthly employment report.
In February, Washington’s unemployment rate was 4.4% with 176,942 people in the state unemployed. In January, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, with 176,199 unemployed people, 743 less than February, according to the report.
Washington had the 13th-highest unemployment rate in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In January, Washington had the 17th-highest unemployment rate in the country.
Washington’s unemployment rate increased compared to late year. In February 2024, Washington’s unemployment rate was 4.4%, with 185,303 people in the state unemployed, 8,361 more than February 2025.
Data is provided by the Washington State Employment Security Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
