Department of Numbers

Kennewick-Richland, Washington Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Kennewick rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 4.6%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than the Washington rate. The unemployment rate in Kennewick peaked in April 2020 at 13.9% and is now 9.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.4% in July 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also compare Kennewick unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% -0.1 +0.1
Washington 4.0% +0.2 -0.6
Kennewick 4.6% +0.1 -1.1
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with November 2023 data as December metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Kennewick, Washington, National

Kennewick, Washington monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Kennewick, Washington Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Kennewick peaked in April 2020 at 21,227. There are now 14,310 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 6,608 in September 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 309. Kennewick employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Kennewick, Washington) is also available.

Unemployed Persons November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Kennewick 6,917 +117 -1,692

Number of Unemployed Persons

Kennewick, Washington Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Washington
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
Unemployed
December
2023
3.7%
November
2023
3.7% 4.0% 4.6% 6,917
October
2023
3.8% 3.8% 4.5% 6,800
September
2023
3.8% 3.6% 4.4% 6,608
August
2023
3.8% 3.6% 4.4% 6,640
July
2023
3.5% 3.6% 4.4% 6,726
June
2023
3.6% 3.8% 4.7% 7,185
May
2023
3.7% 4.1% 5.1% 7,817
April
2023
3.4% 4.3% 5.5% 8,440
March
2023
3.5% 4.5% 5.7% 8,843
February
2023
3.6% 4.6% 5.8% 8,965
January
2023
3.4% 4.6% 5.7% 8,672

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.