Lincoln County – which has had one of the highest unemployment rates in Oregon the past two years – is seeing its rate increase again.
The Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday that Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5 percent in September — up slightly from August’s rate of 4.9 percent. But August’s rate was the first to increase after 18 months of declines following the coronavirus pandemic. July’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent.
The statewide unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in September, and the national rate was 3.5 percent.
Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment in Lincoln County decreased by 70 in September to 17,810 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 220 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment dropped by 290.
The private sector shed 380 jobs, Knoder said, and government employment was up 90 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector cut 270 jobs, Knoder said, while manufacturing and financial activities each shed 40 jobs.
Private education and health services added 30 jobs, according to the monthly report, while local government education was up 100 jobs as the school year began. Other industries had small changes. September’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 220 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.2 percent, Knoder said. The county lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 850 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of September 2019.
Leisure and hospitality recovered 250 jobs compared with the year before. Private education and health services grew by 70 jobs. On the other hand, food manufacturing and construction each shed 80 jobs over the year, and retail trade lost 70 jobs. Local government education added 80 jobs over the past year.
