The State's Economy

The Distressed Areas List identifies all counties with a three-year average unemployment rate equal to or greater than 120 percent of the statewide unemployment rate. For 2007, Washington had a three year average of 5.6 percent unemployment, down from 6.4 in 2006.  The 16 counties on the distressed list have a three year average rate of 6.7 percent or more.
 

Map of Distressed Counties - 2007

Source data: Washington State Employment Security Department

All distressed counties are considered rural (see below).

Rural Counties 2007

A rural county has a population density of less than 100 persons per square mile as defined in RCW 43 160 020 section 12 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/).

Source data: Washington State Office of Financial Management

The chart below shows the average unemployment from January 2004 to December 2006.

Source data: Washington State Employment Security Department