Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment dropped by 60 more jobs than expected in January, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday.
The seasonally adjusted employment rate in Lincoln County rose to 5.2 percent in January, up from 5 percent in December. The rate in January 2018 was 4.8 percent. Oregon’s unemployment rate is 4.3 percent; the national rate is 4 percent.
In Lincoln County, the employment department expected a seasonal loss of 300 jobs in January, but there were 360 fewer jobs. Private-sector employment fell by 320 jobs, and government employment fell by 40. Retail trade chopped 140 jobs, leisure and hospitality cut 60 jobs, and professional and business services shed 40 jobs. Other industries had smaller changes.
Leisure and hospitality employs the most people in Lincoln County — 4,220. Governments, including federal, state, local, schools and tribes, employ the second most — 3,830.
Although there was a drop in January, total nonfarm employment in Lincoln County was 220 more than January 2018 — 17,770 — an increase of 1.3 percent, said regional economist Erik Knoder of Newport. The private sector added 120 jobs, and government employment rose by 100. Industries adding the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality (+130) and professional and business services (+60). Nondurable goods manufacturing was down 70 jobs over the year.
