For the first time since the pandemic ended, Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased – although only slightly – in January.
The Oregon Employment Department reported that the county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in January, nearly the same as the 4.1 percent rate in December. The unemployment rate a year earlier was 5.9 percent.
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in January, and the national rate was 3.7 percent.
The agency reported that seasonally adjusted employment in Lincoln County decreased by 50 in January to 18,970 jobs.
Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 280 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 330, the agency said. The private sector lost 280 jobs, including 160 in the leisure and hospitality industry, manufacturing declined by 50 jobs and government employment decreased by 50.
Year-to-year, January’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 460 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 2.6 percent. Professional and business services were up 120 jobs over the year to January and private education and health services was up by 60 jobs. Accommodation and food services shed 60 jobs over the year while local government, including tribal and education, added 200 jobs the past year.
