Lincoln County’s monthly unemployment rate continues to tick down slowly – but still remains higher than Oregon’s or the national rates.
The Oregon Employment Department reported this week that the county’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in February, down slightly from January’s rate of 5.3 percent. Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in February 2021.
The statewide unemployment rate was 4 percent in February, and the national rate was 3.8 percent.
Lincoln County’s jobless rate was 5.5 percent in December, 5.7 percent in November and 6.1 percent in October.
Regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 90 in February to 17,700 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 140 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment rose by only 50.
The private sector was nearly unchanged, adding only 10 jobs, Knoder said. Government employment increased by 40, he said, the leisure and hospitality sector added 110 jobs, but retail trade cut 100 jobs.
February’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 290 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.7 percent, Knoder said. The county lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 900 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of February 2019.
Most private industries added jobs over the past year. Leisure and hospitality recovered 430 jobs from the year before and construction added 90 jobs. Local government, however, lost 150 jobs.
