Stevens County

Unemployment in Stevens County has risen to 3.3% as of August 2026, marking the third consecutive monthly increase and a significant reversal from its December 2025 low of 2.4%. The uptick—from 2.8% in June to 3.3% by August—suggests a potential structural shift in the county's labor market rather than seasonal fluctuation. The labor force stands at 2,761.

The timing coincides with volatility in local home values. After peaking at $175,351 in July, median home values dropped to $166,978 in August before recovering slightly to $171,405 in September. This 4.8% decline from peak suggests housing market softening may be tracking alongside employment weakness, a pattern often associated with broader economic contraction at the county level.

The sustained directional movement in unemployment over three consecutive releases—a signal the data system flags as medium-confidence—warrants investigation into what's driving job losses or workforce exits in this small county of 5,212 residents. Local reporters should examine whether specific employers have cut staff, whether seasonal factors are more pronounced this year, or whether broader regional economic conditions are affecting Stevens County's traditionally tight labor market.