Lincoln County jobless rate stays flat — but at 5.8 percent — in February

Is this good news or bad news? Or just news?

The Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday that the unemployment rate for Lincoln County remained flat at 5.8 percent in February – the same as it was in January.

The county’s unemployment rate had been steadily rising each month since hitting a low of 4.7 percent last July. The unemployment rate in February 2022 was 5.4 percent.

But the county continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates in Oregon, which had an overall 4.7 percent jobless rate in February. The national average was 3.6 percent.

Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 10 in February to 18,140 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 150 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment rose by only 140, Knoder reported.

The private sector added 70 jobs and government employment also was up by 70, he said. The leisure and hospitality sector grew by 70 jobs. Trade, transportation, and utilities dropped 30 jobs. Local government education added 50 jobs.

February’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 170 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1 percent. The county lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 430 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of February 2019, Knoder said.