Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in September, unchanged from the August rate, the Oregon Employment Department reported this week.
Although flat for the two months, the county’s jobless rate is down significantly from a year ago when it was 5.9 percent.
The statewide unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in September, and the national rate was 3.8 percent.
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 90 in September to 18,440 jobs, according to regional economist Erik Knoder. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes.
A loss of 260 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 350. The private sector lost 440 jobs, Knoder said, leisure and hospitality lost 270 jobs, retail trade declined by 80 jobs but government employment increased by 90. September’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 360 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.9 percent, Knoder’s report said.
The county lost 4,270 jobs in March 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 210 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of September 2019.
Accommodation and food services was up 310 jobs over the year to September and other services grew by 150 jobs. On the other hand, construction was down 80 jobs compared with the previous year, food and beverage retailers shed 70 jobs over the year but local government, including tribal and education, added 140 jobs over the past year.
