Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5.8 percent in July, down from 5.9 percent in June and below its 6.2 percent jobless rate in July 2025.
But the county’s unemployment rate is still higher than Oregon’s July unemployment rate of 5.2 percent rate and the national rate of 4.1 percent, according to new numbers released this week by the Oregon Employment Department.
Regional economist Shawn Barrick said the county’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 150 in July to 18,290 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes.
A gain of 150 jobs was expected in July but the county’s total nonfarm employment was unchanged, with a gain of 320 jobs in the private sector and a loss of 320 jobs in total government employment.
Barrick said leisure and hospitality added 230 jobs in July but local education lost 320 jobs.
July’s total nonfarm employment numbers were down 450 jobs – or 2.3 percent – year over year. The largest gain occurred in private education and health services which rose by 120 jobs over the year in July, retail trade lost 180 jobs and local governments lost 140 jobs.
I’m always skeptical of “jobless” statistics and wonder how they’re calculated. If it is based all, or in part, on the number of unemployment compensation claims, then it is inaccurate because there is a limit to the number of weeks one can claim, which in Oregon is 26 weeks out of 52. In other words, one can use up all of their unemployment benefits eligibility, but still be unemployed after their claim expires. Are those with expired unemployment claims but who are still unemployed, showing up in the statistics?