Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in January – unchanged from December and the first time it has not increased since July, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday.

After dipping to its lowest point last July at 4.7 percent, the county’s unemployment rate has risen steadily since then. It was 5.6 percent in January 2022.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in January, the agency said, and the national rate was 3.4 percent.

Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment in Lincoln County increased by 110 in January to 18,160 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes, Knoder said. A loss of 320 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment dropped by only 210.

The private sector shed all 210 jobs, Knoder reported. Trade, transportation, and utilities dropped 90 jobs while the leisure and hospitality sector cut 80 jobs. Retail trade shed 60 jobs.

January’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 260 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.5 percent.

The county lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 690 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of January 2019.