Lincoln County’s unemployment rate continues to slowly inch down, hitting 5 percent in March but still stubbornly above the state and national jobless rates.
The Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday that Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5 percent in March, slightly lower than the 5.2 percent rate in February. It was 8.1 in March 2021.
Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in March, and the national rate was 3.6 percent.
The county’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January, 5.5 percent in December, 5.7 percent in November and 6.1 percent in October.
Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 30 in March to 17,660 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 160 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment rose by only 130.
The private sector added 130 jobs in March, Knoder said. Leisure and hospitality businesses in Lincoln County added 140 jobs and education and health services trimmed 30 jobs.
Lincoln County lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 1,000 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of March 2019, Knoder said. Several private industries added jobs over the past year. Leisure and hospitality recovered 340 jobs from the year before, Knoder said, and construction and other services each regained 50 jobs. Retail trade has lost 100 jobs and local government lost 150 jobs, Knoder said.