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- Washington
Washington's Jobless Rate Hits 4-Year High in January
State delayed release of unemployment data due to federal shutdown fallout
Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:54pm
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As Washington's jobless rate climbs, the state's economic recovery lags behind national trends.Bellingham TodayWashington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached 5% in January, the highest level since 2021, according to the state's Employment Security Department. The state had not published jobless data since late January due to delays stemming from last year's federal government shutdown.
Why it matters
Washington's rising unemployment rate over the past year signals ongoing economic challenges, even as the national jobless rate has improved. The delayed release of state-level data also highlights the lingering impacts of the federal government shutdown on state agencies and their ability to provide timely economic reporting.
The details
The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5% in January was just above the 4.9% rate recorded in December, but represented the highest level since 2021. The Employment Security Department says it will release county-level data on April 7 and the February and March employment reports later this month.
- The state last published unemployment data in late January.
- Washington's jobless rate reached 5% in January 2026.
The players
Washington State Employment Security Department
The state agency responsible for collecting and reporting unemployment data.
What’s next
The Employment Security Department will release county-level unemployment data on April 7 and the state's February and March jobs reports later this month.
The takeaway
Washington's rising unemployment, even as the national rate has improved, highlights the state's ongoing economic challenges. The delayed release of jobless data also shows the lingering impacts of the federal government shutdown on state agencies' ability to provide timely economic reporting.
