Reading the Economic Fault Lines
Washington’s recession anxiety leads the nation
By Sarah Stackhouse May 14, 2025
Washington residents are Googling recession-related terms more than anyone else in the country.
A new study from Techr, an online HR platform, ranked states based on Google searches like “Trump recession 2025,” “are we in a recession 2025,” and “layoffs 2025.” Washington tops the list with 56.33 searches per 100,000 residents — more than 200% above the national average and well ahead of the next most concerned states: Wyoming and Vermont.
It makes sense. We’re a state of preppers. We like to have a plan — especially for the worst-case scenario. More than a million Washingtonians regularly take part in the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, practicing how to drop and cover. We sign up for emergency alerts, worry about fault lines, and stash tubs of freeze-dried food in the basement. And now the headlines full of economic dread have us wondering if it’s time to reassess the budget and scan the pantry.
Washington’s economy has been hit hard in ways that aren’t showing up everywhere. Cross-border towns are still reeling from the drop in Canadian visitors. Local businesses are offering discounts just to lure B.C. shoppers back. Inflation fears are rising again with more tariff hikes on the table. Housing costs are high, businesses are closing, nonprofits are scrambling to stay afloat, and regional trade is taking a hit. And now some of the biggest employers in the state are making cuts. Microsoft just announced it’s laying off around 6,800 employees — about 3% of its global workforce — with nearly 2,000 of those cuts happening here in Washington, mostly in the Seattle area.
No wonder people are anxious.
The five most recession-concerned states:
Washington – 4,540 monthly searches (56.33 per 100,000 residents)
Wyoming – 210 monthly searches (35.58 per 100,000 residents)
Vermont – 230 monthly searches (35.48 per 100,000 residents)
Alaska – 210 monthly searches (28.24 per 100,000 residents)
North Dakota – 220 monthly searches (27.36 per 100,000 residents)
The report only lists the top ten, but coming in last is Rhode Island. Maybe the Ocean State is too busy enjoying the beach.
Find the full report here. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
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