Lincoln County added 270 jobs and its unemployment rate dropped back below 5 percent in April, according to seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll numbers released Tuesday by the Oregon Employment Department.
Although the number of jobs increased, regional economist Erik Knoder said that it was 50 jobs fewer than expected.
Private-sector employment rose by 250 jobs, and government employment edged up by 20. Leisure and hospitality added 190 jobs, and retail trade added 30 jobs, according to the monthly report. Other industries had smaller changes.
Industries changing the most over the year were leisure and hospitality which added 90 jobs and local government/education, which added 40 jobs. Food manufacturing lost 80 jobs over the year, and professional and business services was down 40 jobs.
Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in April, essentially unchanged from the previous month’s rate of 5 percent. Last April the rate was 4.7 percent.
Lincoln County’s unemployment rate is higher than the statewide average of 4.3 percent and the national rate of 3.6 percent.