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<br /> Employment Growth and Distribution
<br />While unemployment within Kittitas County and Washington State are comparable at 7.77% and 7.85%
<br />respectively, Kittitas County has a smaller percentage of participants in the labor force. While this can be
<br />attributed, in part, to CWU students living in Kittitas County, it also points to a growing future demand in
<br />available job opportunities for students and other populations entering the workforce.
<br />Major Employment Industries
<br />Education and health care are the greatest industry employers, both in Kittitas County and Washington State
<br />(Table 10-3). While true, Kittitas County has a significantly greater proportion of its population employed in
<br />education and health care than Washington State. Kittitas County also employs a higher percentage of
<br />people in the fields of art, food, entertainment, agriculture, fishing, and mining. These spikes in specific
<br />employment sectors can be linked to the rural character of Kittitas County and the resource based industries
<br />that come with this character, blending with urban entertainment centers brought about by cities and CWU.
<br />Minor Employment Industries
<br />Manufacturing industries and scientific and professional industries are noticeably lower in Kittitas County
<br />than in comparison with the rest of Washington State. Both industries are more than 5% lower than the state
<br />average. In part, this may be attributed to the lack of land within Kittitas County where the manufacturing of
<br />goods is an accepted or permitted use. Central Washington University’s emphasis on programs oriented
<br />around education and teaching may also play a role.
<br />Industry Kittitas County Washington State
<br />Number Percent Number Percent
<br />Agriculture, forestry, fishing/hunting, and mining 930 4.4% 88,598 2.6%
<br />Arts/entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food
<br />services 2,870 13.7% 313,576 9.2%
<br />Construction 1,630 7.8% 216,981 6.3%
<br />Educational services, health care and social assistance 6,098 29.2% 737,105 21.6%
<br />Finance/insurance, real estate, rental, leasing 593 2.8% 184,982 5.4%
<br />Information 344 1.6% 78,645 2.3%
<br />Manufacturing 1,073 5.1% 353,242 10.3%
<br />Other services, except public administration 931 4.5% 158,441 4.6%
<br />Professional, scientific, management, administrative
<br />services 1,330 6.4% 431,652 12.6%
<br />Public administration 1,065 5.1% 175,741 5.1%
<br />Retail trade 2,538 12.1% 403,198 11.8%
<br />Transportation, warehousing, and utilities 1,016 4.9% 177,993 5.2%
<br />Wholesale trade 483 2.3% 97,969 2.9%
<br />Total 20,901 3,418,123
<br />Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (C24030), 2017
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<br />Table 10-3 Civilian Employment by Industry
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