Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to creep higher, reaching 4.7 percent in July and continues to be higher than the statewide average, according to numbers released this week by the Oregon Employment Department.
The county’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in June and 4.2 percent in July 2023. The county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent at the beginning of 2024.
Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July, and the national rate was 4.3 percent.
Regional economist Shaun Barrick said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 150 in July to 18,580 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 190 jobs was expected for the month, Barrick said, but the county’s total nonfarm employment actually increased by 40, with a gain of 270 jobs in the private sector, and a loss of 230 jobs in government.
Leisure and hospitality had a notable gain, adding 240 jobs in July, Barrick said. Professional and business services added 40 jobs while local education, a component of local government, lost 220 jobs.
July’s total nonfarm employment numbers were down by 270 jobs over the year, a decrease of 1.3 percent, Barrick said. Food manufacturing lost 180 jobs the past 12 months, Barrick said, which was a decline of 38.3 percent. Accommodation, a component of leisure and hospitality, shed 80 jobs over the year while local government, excluding tribal and education, added 70 jobs over the past year, Barrick said. Indian tribal employment fell by 120 jobs.