Olympia-Tumwater, Washington Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Olympia rose 0.1 percentage points in August 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 Olympia peaked in January 2010 at 9.4% and is now 4.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.7% in May 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.5 percentage points. You can also compare Olympia unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	August 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.1
Washington	4.6%	0.0	+0.2
Olympia	5.2%	+0.1	+0.5

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

Unemployment Rate: Olympia, Washington, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Olympia, Washington Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Olympia peaked in February 2010 at 11,985. There are now 4,529 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 6,418 in July 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,038. Olympia employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Olympia, Washington) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Olympia	7,456	+176	+1,004

Number of Unemployed Persons

Olympia, Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Olympia Unemployment Rate	Olympia Unemployed
September 2019	3.5%	4.6%	—	—
August 2019	3.7%	4.6%	5.2%	7,456
July 2019	3.7%	4.6%	5.1%	7,280
June 2019	3.7%	4.6%	5.0%	7,133
May 2019	3.6%	4.6%	4.9%	7,005
April 2019	3.6%	4.7%	5.0%	7,016
March 2019	3.8%	4.6%	4.9%	6,873
February 2019	3.8%	4.5%	4.8%	6,766
January 2019	4.0%	4.5%	4.8%	6,706
December 2018	3.9%	4.5%	4.8%	6,637
November 2018	3.7%	4.5%	4.8%	6,634
October 2018	3.8%	4.4%	4.7%	6,593