Cowlitz County’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 8% in January, according to the latest monthly employment data from the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). The figure represents a small uptick from late 2025 but remains lower than levels seen a year earlier.

The state’s broader unemployment trend remained stable, with Washington’s overall jobless rate holding around the mid-4% range. Localized fluctuations — such as those seen in Cowlitz County — are typically shaped by seasonal factors including construction slowdowns, retail employment shifts, and changes in manufacturing operations common to the winter months.

ESD’s December 2025 labor market data, which include the most recent available county-level benchmarks, show that Cowlitz County has experienced a gradual recovery from the peaks of post-pandemic unemployment. Still, an 8% jobless rate places the county above the statewide average, reflecting continued challenges for rural and industrial labor markets in southwest Washington.

The next county-level release is expected later this month as part of the state’s February 2026 update to the Monthly Employment Report.

More granular data — including job gains and losses by sector — are available through ESD’s labor market dashboard and county profile reports.