Whatcom, Skagit unemployment rates drop to 2023 lows

Rhythm returns. Unemployment rate patterns in Whatcom and Skagit counties appear to be resetting to pre-pandemic norms, exactly three years after the percentages hit record highs. The latest, non-seasonally adjusted preliminary figures for April from the state show Whatcom’s unemployment rate at 3.9% and Skagit’s at 4.2%. That’s a decline from the respective 4.8% and 5.1% rates for March.  And — if you were keeping track — it’s a sharp drop from February’s 2023 peak