BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state’s unemployment rate rose once again, continuing a steady climb amid a five-year high.

That’s according to the latest jobs report from the state Employment Security Department, which says Washington’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate sat at 5.1% in February.

That was just a tick higher than January’s rate of 5%.

It marks the state’s fourth straight monthly increase in unemployment, with the rate still at its highest since 2021.

The department will release the February data for Whatcom County next Tuesday, April 21.

The state has been behind in releasing jobs reports due to delays stemming from last year’s federal government shutdown.