Retirements Loom as Washington County’s Workforce Continues Aging
February 19, 2025Washington County’s workforce is aging. The number of Washington workers ages 55 and over grew by a factor of six times in the 30 years from 1992 to 2023, increasing from 13,000 to 74,000. The share of the workforce 55 and older almost tripled in the same period from 8% to 22%. The youngest of the large Baby Boomer generation turns 61 in 2025, and they are more likely to be in the labor force than previous generations were at ages 55 and beyond. Many of these workers may plan to retire in the next 10 years, taking their skills and experience with them.
Washington County’s workforce, like in most metro areas, is younger than in Oregon. In 2023, Washington County had the second smallest share of workers ages 55+, with only our more urban neighbor, Multnomah, having a slightly smaller share. Despite the smaller share, Multnomah and Washington counties have by far the greatest number of workers ages 55 and older.
With the relatively smaller Gen Z generation entering the workforce, workforce aging is expected to continue in the coming years. Its impacts will be felt across industries, as there are fewer laborers available to replace retiring workers. It impacts employers, industries, and regions to varying degrees. Employers should know the age profile of their own workforce so they can plan accordingly for increased turnover and recruitment efforts due to retirements. At a broader level, workforce planners need to know the demographic profiles of entire industries and regions to help gauge the need for future replacement workers.
Sector Breakdown of Employees Ages 55+ in Washington County
The age distribution of the workforce varies by industry. The manufacturing sector employs the most workers ages 55 and over, with nearly 12,000 individuals, accounting for 23% of its workforce. Health Care and Social Assistance follows, with 7,900 workers ages 55 and older, representing 23% of its workforce. Professional, scientific, and technical services have 4,213 workers in this age group, making up 23% of its workforce.
In terms of proportion, the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry has the largest share of workers ages 55 and older, with 38%. Real Estate and Rental and Leasing follow, with 26% of their workforce in this age bracket. Employers in these and in all industries need to plan for how they are going to attract and prepare replacement workers, especially for jobs that require significant training.
Employment by Age Data
Information about employment by age group for industries and counties is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program and the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) partnership with the states. Employment data is the average of quarterly employment for 2023.
To explore and use the data available from LED, visit lehd.ces.census.gov.