Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA May 2026 Summary

Today

Delaney O’Kray-Murphy, EBRC research economist

The Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA faced broad labor market and housing headwinds in the first quarter of 2026, with wages as a standout exception.

Exhibit 1 presents current Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA (Mohave County) economic indicators.

In March, the non-seasonally adjusted civilian labor force in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA fell in the first three months of 2026. The labor force declined by 0.7% year over year in January to 88,650, 2.6% in February to 86,586, and 3.1% in March to 86,865.

Non-seasonally adjusted resident employment in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA saw declines in the first quarter of 2026. Employment in January fell 1.9% year-over-year to 83,271, 3.8% in February to 81,299, and 4.2% in March to 81,378. Statewide, employment fell 2.1%, or -74,852, year over year in March to 3.6 million.

The number of non-seasonally adjusted unemployed residents in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA saw increases in the first three months of 2026. Unemployment rose by 23.5% over the year in January to 5,379, 21.3% in February to 5,287, and 18.3% in March to 5,127.

The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA saw increases over the year in the first quarter of 2026. The unemployment rate came in 6.1% in January and February, both 1.2 percentage points above their year-ago values, while March rose 1.1 percentage points to 5.9%. At the state level, the unemployment rate increased 0.7 percentage points over the year in February to 4.7%, and 0.5 percentage points in March to 4.4%.

Non-seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA rose in each of the first three months of 2026. Earnings increased 10.2% year over year in January to $29.9, 8.1% in February to $29.36, and 9.6% in March to $29.7. At March’s rate, average full-time earnings equate to roughly $61,776.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA fell in both January and March but saw a slight increase in February. Jobs fell 0.2% in January to 56,900 before increasing 0.4% in February to 57,100 and then dropping 0.4% in March to 56,900.

Non-seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA fell in the first three months, most recently decreasing by 2.9% year-over-year to 56,800 in March. Among major industries, Other Services saw the only gain, rising 5.3% over the year to 2,000. On the other hand, Manufacturing saw the greatest decline, falling 9.7% to 2,800. Other losses include Mining, Logging, and Construction (-9.6%), Private Education and Health Services (-2.9%), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2.7%), Leisure and Hospitality (-2.4%), and Government (-1.1%). No losses were reported in Information, Financial Activities, or Professional and Business Services.

Retail sales excluding food and gasoline saw a year-over-year decrease in January and a small increase in February. Retail sales fell 12.7% in January to $214.7 million and rose 6.9% in February to $240.0 million.

Non-seasonally adjusted housing permits in the Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA declined year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026 for both total and single-family permits. Total permits fell 73.5% to 63 in January, 75.5% to 59 in February, and 48.2% to 86 in March. Single-family permits fell 74.7% to 59 in January, 66.3% to 59 in February, and 46.9% in March to 86.