Bellingham, Washington Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Bellingham rose 0.1 percentage points in July 2019 to 5.2%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than the Washington rate. The unemployment rate in Bellingham peaked in January 2010 at 9.8% and is now 4.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.6% in May 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.6 percentage points. You can also compare Bellingham unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
Washington	4.6%	0.0	+0.2
Bellingham	5.2%	+0.1	+0.6

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with July 2019 data as August metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Bellingham, Washington, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Bellingham, Washington Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Bellingham peaked in October 2009 at 10,445. There are now 4,434 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 5,082 in July 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 929. Bellingham employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Bellingham, Washington) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Bellingham	6,011	+150	+929

Number of Unemployed Persons

Bellingham, Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Bellingham Unemployment Rate	Bellingham Unemployed
September 2019	3.5%	—	—	—
August 2019	3.7%	4.6%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	4.6%	5.2%	6,011
June 2019	3.7%	4.6%	5.1%	5,861
May 2019	3.6%	4.6%	5.0%	5,747
April 2019	3.6%	4.7%	5.0%	5,737
March 2019	3.8%	4.6%	4.9%	5,627
February 2019	3.8%	4.5%	4.9%	5,550
January 2019	4.0%	4.5%	4.8%	5,412
December 2018	3.9%	4.5%	4.7%	5,357
November 2018	3.7%	4.5%	4.7%	5,355
October 2018	3.8%	4.4%	4.7%	5,310