Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues its slow decline, but remains above the jobless rate for Oregon and the U.S.
The Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday that the county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in July. The rate was 4.3 percent in June and 5.2 percent the year before.
The statewide unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in July, and the national rate was 3.5 percent.
The agency’s regional economist, Erik Knoder, said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 190 jobs in July to 18,470. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 290 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment only rose by 100, Knoder said.
The private sector added 330 jobs with the leisure and hospitality sector growing by 240 jobs and professional and business services adding 50 jobs. Government employment decreased by 230, with 240 jobs lost in local education.
Knoder said July’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 480 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 2.6 percent. The county lost 4,270 jobs in March 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 170 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of July 2019.