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Top 10 Cities in Washington with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your hometown? If you’re considering a job change within your community, it’s crucial to understand the local job market. In this article, we highlight the cities in Washington with the lowest unemployment rates, showcasing the strength of their job markets as of 2026.
Many residents choose to live in Washington due to job opportunities, but whether you’re relocating for work or simply seeking new employment opportunities, knowing which cities offer robust job markets is essential.
We sourced demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates. By setting a population threshold for our analysis, we narrowed down the cities in the Evergreen State and calculated the unemployment rates:
- Mill Creek (Jobs)
- Sammamish (Jobs)
- Lynden (Jobs)
- Snoqualmie (Jobs)
- Newcastle (Jobs)
- Bainbridge Island (Jobs)
- Mercer Island (Jobs)
- Redmond (Jobs)
- Woodinville (Jobs)
- Issaquah (Jobs)
For employers aiming to establish themselves in a community with a healthy job market, a low unemployment rate is a strong indicator of economic vitality. In this regard, Mill Creek stands out with the lowest unemployment rate in Washington.
Continue reading to learn how we identified these cities and their job market strengths.
For additional job opportunities in Washington, explore:
- Search for Jobs in Washington
- Highest Paying Jobs in Washington
- Fastest Growing Jobs in Washington
How We Determined the Cities in Washington with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To identify Washington’s most employed cities, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000 and relevant data available. This left us with 78 cities to analyze.
We assessed the unemployment rates to pinpoint the cities with the lowest rates, using data from the most recent American Community Survey by the Census Bureau.
The unemployment rate serves as a reliable indicator of the job market’s health and the likelihood of finding employment, whether through intrastate, interstate, or intercity moves.
We ranked the cities from one to 78, with one being the “most employed city in Washington.” In the event of a tie, the larger city was prioritized.
If your city didn’t make the top ten, scroll to the end of the post for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, discover what makes these top cities ideal for job seekers.
1. Mill Creek
Population: 18,667
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
Mill Creek ranks first on our list, boasting a remarkable unemployment rate of just 3.3%, making it the top contender for job seekers.
Being number one comes with perks, including a steady job market.
2. Sammamish
Population: 49,077
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
Sammamish, in second place, maintains a solid unemployment rate of 4.0%, positioning itself as a desirable location for employment.
3. Lynden
Population: 12,579
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Lynden secures the bronze medal with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, making it an excellent choice for job seekers.
4. Snoqualmie
Population: 11,625
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Snoqualmie follows closely behind at number four, with a population of 11,625 and a promising unemployment rate of 4.4%.
5. Newcastle
Population: 10,792
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Newcastle comes in fifth, with a population of 10,792 and an unemployment rate of 4.9%—a solid indicator of job stability.
6. Bainbridge Island
Population: 23,206
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Bainbridge Island also holds an unemployment rate of 4.9%, making it a competitive choice for those considering relocation.
7. Mercer Island
Population: 23,636
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Mercer Island ranks seventh with an unemployment rate of 5.1%, indicative of a healthy job market.
8. Redmond
Population: 56,704
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Redmond, also at 5.1%, showcases a robust job market that attracts talent from across the region.
9. Woodinville
Population: 11,201
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Woodinville rounds out the top nine with a stable unemployment rate of 5.2%, appealing to job seekers.
10. Issaquah
Population: 32,551
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Issaquah closes our list at number ten, with a respectable unemployment rate of 5.5%, reflecting a solid job market.
Conclusion: Unemployment Across Washington
In summary, these ten cities in Washington offer the lowest unemployment rates, supported by their strong job markets. If you’re considering a move to Washington and are eager to prioritize job opportunities, these cities should be at the top of your list.
For more insights into job markets across the U.S., visit Zippia for valuable resources. Recent graduates seeking relocation can also check out which states college grads tend to prefer.
Here’s a brief look at places in Washington with the highest unemployment rates:
- Kelso
- Grandview
- Centralia
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Washington
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek | 1 | 3.3% |
| Sammamish | 2 | 4.0% |
| Lynden | 3 | 4.3% |
| Snoqualmie | 4 | 4.4% |
| Newcastle | 5 | 4.9% |
| Bainbridge Island | 6 | 4.9% |
| Mercer Island | 7 | 5.1% |
| Redmond | 8 | 5.1% |
| Woodinville | 9 | 5.2% |
| Issaquah | 10 | 5.5% |
| Enumclaw | 11 | 5.6% |
| Seattle | 12 | 5.7% |
| Richland | 13 | 5.8% |
| Edmonds | 14 | 5.9% |
| Anacortes | 15 | 6.2% |
| Kirkland | 16 | 6.2% |
| Kenmore | 17 | 6.3% |
| Covington | 18 | 6.3% |
| Renton | 19 | 6.3% |
| Camas | 20 | 6.4% |
| Lynnwood | 21 | 6.4% |
| Bellevue | 22 | 6.4% |
| Lake Forest Park | 23 | 6.7% |
| Mukilteo | 24 | 6.7% |
| Mountlake Terrace | 25 | 6.8% |
| Kennewick | 26 | 6.9% |
| Burien | 27 | 7.0% |
| Des Moines | 28 | 7.0% |
| Bothell | 29 | 7.0% |
| Wenatchee | 30 | 7.1% |
| Monroe | 31 | 7.2% |
| Lake Stevens | 32 | 7.2% |
| Bonney Lake | 33 | 7.3% |
| Tumwater | 34 | 7.3% |
| West Richland | 35 | 7.3% |
| East Wenatchee | 36 | 7.3% |
| Pasco | 37 | 7.4% |
| Shoreline | 38 | 7.7% |
| Battle Ground | 39 | 7.8% |
| Ellensburg | 40 | 8.0% |
| Kent | 41 | 8.2% |
| Walla Walla | 42 | 8.2% |
| Auburn | 43 | 8.2% |
| Federal Way | 44 | 8.3% |
| Lacey | 45 | 8.4% |
| Moses Lake | 46 | 8.4% |
| Maple Valley | 47 | 8.6% |
| Tukwila | 48 | 8.6% |
| Oak Harbor | 49 | 8.6% |
| Ferndale | 50 | 8.6% |
| Puyallup | 51 | 8.7% |
| Spokane Valley | 52 | 8.7% |
| Olympia | 53 | 8.8% |
| Marysville | 54 | 8.9% |
| Spokane | 55 | 9.0% |
| Mount Vernon | 56 | 9.1% |
| Washougal | 57 | 9.1% |
| Bellingham | 58 | 9.1% |
| Aberdeen | 59 | 9.2% |
| Everett | 60 | 9.2% |
| Seatac | 61 | 9.3% |
| Sunnyside | 62 | 9.3% |
| Arlington | 63 | 9.4% |
| Vancouver | 64 | 9.5% |
| Bremerton | 65 | 9.8% |
| Tacoma | 66 | 10.1% |
| Sedro-Woolley | 67 | 10.3% |
| Pullman | 68 | 10.4% |
| University Place | 69 | 10.4% |
| Yakima | 70 | 10.5% |
| Cheney | 71 | 10.6% |
| Port Orchard | 72 | 10.9% |
| Port Angeles | 73 | 11.5% |
| Longview | 74 | 11.9% |
| Lakewood | 75 | 13.2% |
| Centralia | 76 | 14.3% |
| Grandview | 77 | 15.1% |
| Kelso | 78 | 18.4% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
