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1.3.1 Total Civilian Labor Force & Labor Force Participation Rate of Population Ages 16+
Why is this important?
The civilian labor force and the labor participation rate are important measures, used by both government and the private sector. For government, it allows some insight into the ability of an area to attract outside businesses, by understanding the available labor force. For the private sector, it is important because it signifies the ability of an area to support a growing economic base. Additionally, it can provide additional insight into the unemployment statistics of an area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), two definitions are necessary to calculate the rate. First is the civilian labor force, defined as “All persons in the civilian non-institutional population classified as either employed or unemployed (but looking for a job).” The second is the civilian non-institutional population above age 16. This count excludes active-duty military and people confined to institutions, such as nursing homes, prisons, and jails. It includes, however, citizens of foreign countries working in the U.S. (outside of their embassies).
The rate is the civilian labor force divided by the civilian non-institutional population. The labor force participation rate reflects demographics and attitudes toward work versus leisure. Generally, the size of the labor force and its participation rate capture the workforce capacity of a local economy.
This indicator measures the total civilian labor force and the labor force participation rate as a share of the population ages 16 and older in Walla Walla County. Washington State is offered as a benchmark. Additional information, including the population in the county ages 16 or older and the total labor force in Washington State, can be found in the “Download Data” section.
Where are we?
During 2023 in Walla Walla County, the total civilian labor force totaled 30,838 workers, increasing from 26,132, or by 18.0% in 1995.
By comparison during 2023, the civilian labor force as a share of the total population ages 16 and over in:
- Walla Walla County was 62.1%, decreasing from 67.2% in 1995.
- Washington State was 62.4%, decreasing from 67.4% in 1995.
Data Sources
For Employment: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS: Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- In screen 1, find "Washington"; in screen 2, click "Counties & Equivalents" and "Statewide"; in screen 3 click "Washington" and "Walla Walla County"; in screen 4, click "Labor Force"; in screen 5 check "Not Seasonally Adjusted": in screen 6, "Retrieve Data." Select “Annual Averages”
For Worker Age: Washington State Office of Financial Management: Estimates of April 1 Population by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin
- Under “Age, Sex, Race and Hispanic Origin” and “Data Tables”, select “Age, Sex, Race, Hispanic Origin – County (Ages 15-19 by Single Year)”
For Washington State Penitentiary Inmate Numbers: Washington State Department of Corrections: Data Analytics
- Under “Statistical Reports" and "Average Daily Population of Incarcerated Individuals in Prisons ”, select “Fiscal Years 2009-2017”
Note: Walla Walla County has a large inmate population from the Washington State Penitentiary (WSP). This indicator presents excludes penitentiary population from the overall population of Walla Walla County.
