Labor Force Participation: Top & Bottom US Counties

Among counties with at least 5,000 residents, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska leads with 83.0% of residents aged 16 and over participating in the civilian labor force, more than 24 points above the national county median of 58.3%. That gap tells the story of how unevenly work is distributed across American counties, from fishing, oil, farming and resort economies to rural communities where jobs are scarce and residents have aged out of the workforce.

These rankings and medians cover the 2,903 US counties and county equivalents with at least 5,000 residents.

Counties with the Highest Labor Force Participation

The following counties rank among the highest for civilian labor force participation nationally. Each combines a young working-age population, proximity to major employment centers, or a dominant industry that keeps participation rates elevated.

1. Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska: 83.0% participation (median household income: $107,344)
2. Dallam County, Texas: 77.5% participation (median household income: $72,332)
3. Teton County, Wyoming: 77.5% participation (median household income: $112,681)
4. North Slope Borough, Alaska: 77.2% participation (median household income: $86,313)
5. Lake County, Colorado: 76.7% participation (median household income: $93,655)

Counties with the Lowest Labor Force Participation

Low participation often reflects a combination of older age profiles, limited local job markets, higher disability rates and, in some counties, large prison populations. Chattahoochee County, Georgia, sits at the bottom of the national rankings with just 18.2% of residents aged 16 and over in the civilian labor force, because nearly two in three residents aged 16 and over serve in the Armed Forces.

1. Chattahoochee County, Georgia: 18.2% participation (median household income: $59,221)
2. Sumter County, Florida: 25.0% participation (median household income: $73,297)
3. Lake County, Tennessee: 27.9% participation (median household income: $30,500)
4. McDowell County, West Virginia: 28.5% participation (median household income: $29,980)
5. Forest County, Pennsylvania: 28.9% participation (median household income: $50,061)

Where Wages Track Workforce Engagement

Nationally, the median household income across counties with at least 5,000 residents is $63,495. The five highest-income counties cluster around major metropolitan corridors and tend to combine high participation with white-collar occupational profiles. Their numbers reflect not just who works, but what the labor market pays.

1. Loudoun County, Virginia: $178,707 median household income (73.7% labor force participation)
2. Santa Clara County, California: $159,674 median household income (67.4% labor force participation)
3. San Mateo County, California: $156,000 median household income (67.2% labor force participation)
4. Falls Church city, Virginia: $154,734 median household income (71.3% labor force participation)
5. Fairfax County, Virginia: $150,113 median household income (69.8% labor force participation)

The Commute Burden

Working does not always mean working nearby. The national median commute across counties is 24.7 minutes, but for residents of the longest-commute counties, round trips average about an hour and a half. Two are New York City boroughs; Pike County, Pennsylvania sits in the exurban ring of a major metro, where housing is cheaper but jobs require substantial travel.

1. Bronx County, New York: 43.9 minutes average commute
2. Greene County, Mississippi: 43.8 minutes average commute
3. Pike County, Pennsylvania: 43.6 minutes average commute
4. Richmond County, New York: 43.5 minutes average commute
5. Surry County, Virginia: 43.4 minutes average commute

Female Labor Force Participation

The national median for female labor force participation across counties is 54.4%, compared to 58.3% overall.

What Drives the Gaps

No single variable explains why one county's workforce looks so different from its neighbor's. Age structure matters: counties with large retiree populations naturally show lower participation. Exploring the county-level data reveals how tightly these threads are woven together.