Department of Numbers

Kennewick-Richland, Washington Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Kennewick rose 0.2 percentage points in January 2023 to 5.3%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points higher than the Washington rate. The unemployment rate in Kennewick peaked in April 2020 at 13.9% and is now 8.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.9% in September 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also compare Kennewick unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate January 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.4% -0.1 -0.6
Washington 4.6% +0.1 +0.6
Kennewick 5.3% +0.2 +0.2
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with January 2023 data as February 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 21,565. There are now 13,501 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 7,503 in October 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 561. Kennewick employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Kennewick, Washington) is also available.

Unemployed Persons January 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Kennewick 8,064 +255 +393

Number of Unemployed Persons

Kennewick, Washington Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Washington
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
Unemployed
February
2023
3.6%
January
2023
3.4% 4.6% 5.3% 8,064
December
2022
3.5% 4.5% 5.1% 7,809
November
2022
3.6% 4.6% 5.0% 7,577
October
2022
3.7% 4.6% 4.9% 7,503
September
2022
3.5% 4.4% 4.9% 7,524
August
2022
3.7% 4.3% 5.0% 7,601
July
2022
3.5% 4.1% 5.0% 7,582
June
2022
3.6% 3.9% 5.1% 7,801
May
2022
3.6% 3.9% 5.1% 7,743
April
2022
3.6% 3.9% 5.0% 7,688
March
2022
3.6% 3.9% 5.0% 7,679

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.