Patrick Jones

2.4.2 Total Civilian Labor Force & Labor Force Participation Rate of Population Ages 16+.jpeg

A slowing labor market reflects a slowing economy

Spokane County should mirror state's expected tepid growth in payroll employment in 2026

November 6, 2025

The labor market outlook for 2026 for the state of Washington looks very challenging, if we are to believe the recent estimates from the Washington State Economic & Research Forecast Council (Council).
While payroll employment statewide in 2024 grew by 1%, the Council looks at this year delivering a mere 0.3% annual growth. And 2026 is viewed even more conservatively. The Council expects a bump in state payroll employment of only 0.2%! In colloquial terms, that’s called treading water.

Guest Commentary: Scarce labor leads to wage increases in Spokane area

July 31, 2025

Patrick Jones

Spokane's economic health ranks high in prosperity

Even so, metro area has room for improvement among regional competitors

April 10, 2025

Patrick Jones

High-scoring prosperity measures in Spokane metro area mask regional economic competition and wage stagnation.

Current labor market carries echoes of distant past

Economy is experiencing 'Expo déjà vu' as 50th anniversary approaches

December 21, 2023

Patrick Jones

By one key economic measure, our economy is already experiencing Expo déjà vu.

Wage increases likely to beat inflation this year

Outlook improves after higher prices outpaced 2022 income growth

October 12, 2023

Patrick Jones

'It's not what you earn. It's what you keep.â€ That advice from my mother about saving has been ringing in my ears lately as I look at Spokane earnings data. In 2022, we didn't 'keepâ€ as much as before. And it's not necessarily due to

Lifting Spokane's labor participation requires in-depth analysis

Worker supply said to be pressing economic issue

June 8, 2023

Patrick Jones

In a Journal column earlier this year, I touched on what appears to be most pressing issue for the Spokane and regional economy: the supply of workers. Expanding the workforce depends on population gains and the size of the labor force participation

Spokane's labor force participation lags the US rate

Declining worker supply, high rate of job openings hinder economic growth

January 19, 2023

Patrick Jones

Sometimes simple concepts explain a lot. So it is with the labor force participation rate. In light of its recent trend in Spokane County, it's smart to pay attention to this measure of economic health. Workforce availability is often the first

Spokane County's population grows faster than expected

Challenges projected for school districts, housing, infrastructure

July 28, 2022

Patrick Jones

If population gain is a contest, Spokane County won the state sweepstakes over the past 12 months, according to 2022 estimates released at the end of June by the Washington state Office of Financial Management.

Spokane economy grew for some in pandemic year

Hospitality, retail sectors still lag in job numbers

July 29, 2021

Patrick Jones

What a difference a year makes. In May 2020, U.S. employment had slipped over 25 million from its February 2020 peak. The nation was lurching toward the largest quarterly drop in gross domestic product in history with a 32% decline. Washington state's

New residents are just one factor in rise in Spokane home values

Supply side said to have greater effect as listings fall short of local demand

January 14, 2021

Patrick Jones

Ever thought it's those out-of-towners who have driven up housing prices here recently? You probably aren't alone. After all, the median house price for resale has climbed from approximately $284,000 to $330,000 over the past four quarters.