NextChapter

Counties where unemployment fell the most in the Pacific Northwest

Columbia County saw the biggest improvement in the Pacific Northwest: its unemployment rate changed −1.4 points over the year, against −0.6 points for the typical large county.November 2026 edition. Updated monthly, from public Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census data.

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Key facts

  • #1 Columbia County, OR: −1.4 points
  • #2 Linn County, OR: −1.3 points
  • #3 Josephine County, OR: −1.2 points
  • 39 counties ranked in the Pacific Northwest
  • Data as of November 2026

For comparison: −0.6 points across the typical large county.

  1. 1Columbia County OR−1.4 points
  2. 2Linn County OR−1.3 points
  3. 3Josephine County OR−1.2 points
  4. 4Washington County OR−1.1 points
  5. 5Douglas County OR−1.1 points
  6. 6Coos County OR−1.1 points
  7. 7Yamhill County OR−1.1 points
  8. 8Umatilla County OR−1.1 points
  9. 9Klamath County OR−1.1 points
  10. 10Lincoln County OR−1.1 points

What stands out

  • Washington County is the largest market in the top ten, with 345,574 people in the labor force behind its figure.
  • Counties with fewer than 20,000 people in the labor force are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.

Why this ranking matters

What it shows

A county where unemployment is falling fastest is a labor market that is improving, whatever its starting point.

How to use it

Look at these counties when you want a market moving in the right direction. Compare with the lowest-unemployment list to see where improvement and a tight market overlap.

The top 25

  1. 1

    Columbia County OR

    −1.4 points

    Unemployment now
    4.8%
    A year ago
    6.2%
    People in the labor force
    26,694

    Based on 26,694 people in the labor force.

    Columbia County job market

  2. 2

    Linn County OR

    −1.3 points

    Unemployment now
    4.4%
    A year ago
    5.7%
    People in the labor force
    62,850

    Based on 62,850 people in the labor force.

    Linn County job market

  3. 3

    Josephine County OR

    −1.2 points

    Unemployment now
    5.6%
    A year ago
    6.8%
    People in the labor force
    35,480

    Based on 35,480 people in the labor force.

    Josephine County job market

  4. 4

    Washington County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    4.1%
    A year ago
    5.2%
    People in the labor force
    345,574

    Based on 345,574 people in the labor force.

    Washington County job market

  5. 5

    Douglas County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    5.1%
    A year ago
    6.2%
    People in the labor force
    46,914

    Based on 46,914 people in the labor force.

    Douglas County job market

  6. 6

    Coos County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    4.8%
    A year ago
    5.9%
    People in the labor force
    26,940

    Based on 26,940 people in the labor force.

    Coos County job market

  7. 7

    Yamhill County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    3.9%
    A year ago
    5.0%
    People in the labor force
    57,103

    Based on 57,103 people in the labor force.

    Yamhill County job market

  8. 8

    Umatilla County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    4.0%
    A year ago
    5.1%
    People in the labor force
    37,926

    Based on 37,926 people in the labor force.

    Umatilla County job market

  9. 9

    Klamath County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    5.5%
    A year ago
    6.6%
    People in the labor force
    29,957

    Based on 29,957 people in the labor force.

    Klamath County job market

  10. 10

    Lincoln County OR

    −1.1 points

    Unemployment now
    4.9%
    A year ago
    6.0%
    People in the labor force
    21,259

    Based on 21,259 people in the labor force.

    Lincoln County job market

  11. 11

    Multnomah County OR

    −1.0 points

    Unemployment now
    4.3%
    A year ago
    5.3%
    People in the labor force
    469,250

    Based on 469,250 people in the labor force.

    Multnomah County job market

  12. 12

    Clackamas County OR

    −1.0 points

    Unemployment now
    4.1%
    A year ago
    5.1%
    People in the labor force
    227,400

    Based on 227,400 people in the labor force.

    Clackamas County job market

  13. 13

    Lane County OR

    −1.0 points

    Unemployment now
    4.4%
    A year ago
    5.4%
    People in the labor force
    188,288

    Based on 188,288 people in the labor force.

    Lane County job market

  14. 14

    Clatsop County OR

    −1.0 points

    Unemployment now
    4.1%
    A year ago
    5.1%
    People in the labor force
    20,406

    Based on 20,406 people in the labor force.

    Clatsop County job market

  15. 15

    Marion County OR

    −0.9 points

    Unemployment now
    4.0%
    A year ago
    4.9%
    People in the labor force
    187,060

    Based on 187,060 people in the labor force.

    Marion County job market

  16. 16

    Polk County OR

    −0.9 points

    Unemployment now
    4.0%
    A year ago
    4.9%
    People in the labor force
    47,883

    Based on 47,883 people in the labor force.

    Polk County job market

  17. 17

    Benton County OR

    −0.9 points

    Unemployment now
    3.9%
    A year ago
    4.8%
    People in the labor force
    49,221

    Based on 49,221 people in the labor force.

    Benton County job market

  18. 18

    Deschutes County OR

    −0.8 points

    Unemployment now
    3.9%
    A year ago
    4.7%
    People in the labor force
    111,956

    Based on 111,956 people in the labor force.

    Deschutes County job market

  19. 19

    Jackson County OR

    −0.8 points

    Unemployment now
    4.7%
    A year ago
    5.5%
    People in the labor force
    109,826

    Based on 109,826 people in the labor force.

    Jackson County job market

  20. 20

    Clallam County WA

    −0.7 points

    Unemployment now
    3.4%
    A year ago
    4.1%
    People in the labor force
    30,531

    Based on 30,531 people in the labor force.

    Clallam County job market

  21. 21

    Grays Harbor County WA

    −0.6 points

    Unemployment now
    4.3%
    A year ago
    4.9%
    People in the labor force
    29,423

    Based on 29,423 people in the labor force.

    Grays Harbor County job market

  22. 22

    Island County WA

    −0.6 points

    Unemployment now
    3.4%
    A year ago
    4.0%
    People in the labor force
    35,421

    Based on 35,421 people in the labor force.

    Island County job market

  23. 23

    Grant County WA

    −0.6 points

    Unemployment now
    4.0%
    A year ago
    4.6%
    People in the labor force
    47,249

    Based on 47,249 people in the labor force.

    Grant County job market

  24. 24

    Cowlitz County WA

    −0.6 points

    Unemployment now
    4.0%
    A year ago
    4.6%
    People in the labor force
    46,732

    Based on 46,732 people in the labor force.

    Cowlitz County job market

  25. 25

    Thurston County WA

    −0.5 points

    Unemployment now
    3.4%
    A year ago
    3.9%
    People in the labor force
    144,060

    Based on 144,060 people in the labor force.

    Thurston County job market

Full ranking

All 39 counties that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.

RankCountyScoreSample
1Columbia County OR−1.4 points26,694
2Linn County OR−1.3 points62,850
3Josephine County OR−1.2 points35,480
4Washington County OR−1.1 points345,574
5Douglas County OR−1.1 points46,914
6Coos County OR−1.1 points26,940
7Yamhill County OR−1.1 points57,103
8Umatilla County OR−1.1 points37,926
9Klamath County OR−1.1 points29,957
10Lincoln County OR−1.1 points21,259
11Multnomah County OR−1.0 points469,250
12Clackamas County OR−1.0 points227,400
13Lane County OR−1.0 points188,288
14Clatsop County OR−1.0 points20,406
15Marion County OR−0.9 points187,060
16Polk County OR−0.9 points47,883
17Benton County OR−0.9 points49,221
18Deschutes County OR−0.8 points111,956
19Jackson County OR−0.8 points109,826
20Clallam County WA−0.7 points30,531
21Grays Harbor County WA−0.6 points29,423
22Island County WA−0.6 points35,421
23Grant County WA−0.6 points47,249
24Cowlitz County WA−0.6 points46,732
25Thurston County WA−0.5 points144,060
26Clark County WA−0.5 points253,367
27Lewis County WA−0.4 points33,964
28Spokane County WA−0.4 points261,925
29Whatcom County WA−0.4 points113,440
30Franklin County WA−0.4 points47,126
31Mason County WA−0.4 points25,072
32Benton County WA−0.3 points105,654
33Skagit County WA−0.3 points60,255
34Douglas County WA−0.3 points20,670
35Yakima County WA−0.2 points129,429
36Kitsap County WA−0.2 points120,336
37Chelan County WA−0.2 points42,163
38Walla Walla County WA−0.2 points29,289
39Kittitas County WA−0.2 points22,251

How this ranking works

A county's score is the change in its unemployment rate over twelve months, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted. The biggest fall ranks first.

Only counties with at least 20,000 people in the labor force whose rate fell are ranked. Month-to-month local estimates can be revised, so small differences are not meaningful.

Sample bar: counties with fewer than 20,000 people in the labor force are not ranked.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (not seasonally adjusted). Data as of November 2026.

Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.

Questions

Which county ranks first: counties where unemployment fell the most in the pacific northwest?
Columbia County saw the biggest improvement in the Pacific Northwest: its unemployment rate changed −1.4 points over the year, against −0.6 points for the typical large county.
How many counties are ranked?
39 counties have at least 20,000 people in the labor force, so the list has 39 entries.
How is the ranking calculated?
A county's score is the change in its unemployment rate over twelve months, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted. The biggest fall ranks first. Only counties with at least 20,000 people in the labor force whose rate fell are ranked. Month-to-month local estimates can be revised, so small differences are not meaningful.
How often is it updated?
Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.

More rankings

Cite this ranking

NextChapter, “Counties where unemployment fell the most in the Pacific Northwest,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-where-unemployment-fell-the-most-in-the-pacific-northwest

Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-where-unemployment-fell-the-most-in-the-pacific-northwest">Counties where unemployment fell the most in the Pacific Northwest (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>

Download the data: CSV · JSON. Free to use with a link back.

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