The unemployment rate in Lincoln County was 5.9 percent in December – a 0.1 percent increase from its revised rate of 5.8 percent in November, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday.
Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in December was 6.4 percent up from its revised November rate of 6.0 percent.
Lincoln County’s employment losses in December were larger than normal, said regional economist Erik Knoder. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 130 jobs, when employment would be expected to be unchanged. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 130 jobs, or 0.3 percent, between November and December.
The number of jobs in Lincoln County is 5.2 percent, or 2,440 jobs, below the level of last February, after sharp job losses in the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, Knoder said in his monthly report.
Industries in the private sector that showed employment gains in December include: transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+240 jobs, +5.9 percent); retail trade (+90, +1.7 percent); and health care and social assistance (+50 jobs, +0.8 percent).
Private-sector industries that lost the most jobs in December include: leisure and hospitality (-29 jobs, -8.7 percent) and manufacturing (-110, -1.4 percent).
Public-sector employment was up 60 jobs in December. A gain of 60 jobs in local government and 10 jobs in federal government was offset by losses of 10 jobs in state government.
