News

Whatcom County’s unemployment rate ticks up in November 2025


WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s jobless rate saw a modest rise towards the end of last year.

That’s according to the state Employment Security Department, which reports that the county’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate sat at 4.6% in November 2025.

It ticked up from 3.9% in September, but remained similar to where things were at the previous year.

On the bright side, Whatcom County’s jobless rate was slightly below the state’s, which rose to 5%.

The private sector lost over 6,000 jobs statewide, but saw some gains in the education and health, and leisure and hospitality industries.

Skagit County’s economy also trended down in November, with its unemployment rate rising nearly a full percentage point from September.

The department still has not released county-level unemployment data from October 2025 due to the federal government shutdown.

Recent Headlines

2 hours ago in Sports

Carlos Alcaraz wins third-round match but loses ‘drop-shot battle’ at Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz had to acknowledge that while he won the third-round match, he lost the battle of the drop shots against Corentin Moutet. That could be a first for the 22-year-old Spaniard, who grew up relentlessly practicing his drop shots and is now at the Australian Open chasing a career Grand Slam.

1 day ago in Sports

Djokovic one away from 400 Grand Slam match wins; Wawrinka makes history

Novak Djokovic improved to 399 wins in Grand Slam matches with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Francesco Maestrelli on Thursday, making the 38-year-old, 24-time major winner just one shy of becoming the first player ever to 400.

1 day ago in Sports

The AP NFL MVP finalists are Allen, Lawrence, Maye, McCaffrey and Stafford

Christian McCaffrey is the first player to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards in the same year, joining Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford in the running for The Associated Press 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award.

1 day ago in Sports

Sherrone Moore is returning to court in case related to his firing as Michigan football coach

Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is returning to court for the first time since being charged with vengeful acts against a woman shortly after he was fired for having a relationship with her.

2 days ago in Sports

Record crowds witness Sabalenka, Alcaraz, Gauff and Zverev advance at Australian Open

Another day, another record crowd. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz advanced in straight sets Wednesday and the No. 3 seeds — Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev — also progressed to the third round of the Australian Open.