NEWPORT — Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to slowly inch its way down, hitting 5 percent in April — 50 percent lower than it was in April 2021 when the unemployment rate was 7.5 percent.

But the county’s unemployment rate remains higher than Oregon’s statewide rate of 3.7 percent and the national rate of 3.6 percent in April.

Lincoln County’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in March and February, down slightly from January’s rate of 5.3 percent. Lincoln County’s jobless rate was 5.5 percent in December, 5.7 percent in November and 6.1 percent in October.

Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted non-farm payroll employment decreased by 70 in April to 17,720 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 330 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total non-farm employment rose by only 260.

The private sector added 250 jobs, Knoder said, and government employment inched up by 10. The leisure and hospitality sector added 170 jobs. Retail trade grew by 40 jobs.

April’s total non-farm employment numbers show a gain of 200 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.2 percent.

Lincoln County lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, Knoder said, and remains 990 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of April 2019.