The number of jobs in Lincoln County increased by 7.1 percent in June, dropping the county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to 7.7 percent for the month, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday.

A year ago the unemployment rate was 15.4 percent. In January the county’s rate was 8.5 percent. The statewide unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in June, and the national rate was 5.9 percent.

In Lincoln County, the private sector added 490 jobs, and government employment rose by 60, according to regional economist Erik Knoder. The leisure and hospitality sector added 280 jobs, Knoder reported, food manufacturing grew by 110 jobs as commercial fishing increased, and retail trade added 40 jobs.

June’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 1,180 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 7.1 percent. The county lost 4,360 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 1,800 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of June 2019, Knoder said.