Ferry County Unemployment Climbs to 6.8%, Stevens Rises to 4.9% - Statesman-Examiner

Ferry County posts the state’s highest unemployment rate in August as joblessness rises locally, while Washington’s seasonally adjusted rate edges down to 4.9% Unemployment increased across Stevens and Ferry counties in August, with Ferry County posting the highest unemployment rate in Washington, according to preliminary data from the Washington State Employment Security Department. Ferry County’s unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in August, up from 5.4% in July, and slightly above the 6.7% recorded in August 2025. Stevens County’s rate rose to 4.9%, up from 4.1% in July. Despite the month-to-month increase, unemployment remained below the 5.3% rate reported in August of last year.