Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to rise, reaching 5.5 percent in November – a full percentage point higher than the statewide rate and almost 2 points higher than the national rate.
The county’s unemployment rate is up from 5 percent in September and 5.2 percent in October. A year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.
The Oregon Employment Department said the statewide unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in November, and the national rate was 3.7 percent.
Lincoln County has one of the highest unemployment rates in Oregon and the rate is rising again after dipping to 4.7 percent in July.
The monthly jobs report from regional economist Erik Knoder said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment in Lincoln County increased by 100 in November to 17,990 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes.
A loss of 400 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment dropped by only 300, Knoder said. The private sector shed 370 jobs, government employment rose by 70 jobs, the leisure and hospitality sector cut 200 jobs and manufacturing shed 160 jobs.
November’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 250 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 1.4 percent, Knoder said. The county lost 4,880 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 690 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of November 2019.
