Lincoln County’s unemployment rate continues decline, but remains far above statewide rate

The unemployment rate in Lincoln County continues to tick downward, but remains significantly higher than Oregon’s overall rate.

The Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday that Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 6.5 percent. It was 6.9 percent in August, 7.2 percent in July and 7.7 percent in June. The rate was 10.2 percent in September 2020.

Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in September, and the national rate was 4.8 percent

The agency’s regional economist, Erik Knoder, said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased by 260 in September to 17,740 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 430 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment fell by only 170.

The private sector shed 260 jobs, and government employment rose by 90. The leisure and hospitality sector cut 200 jobs. Local government education added 100 jobs as the school year began. Other industries had smaller changes.

September’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 820 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 4.7 percent. The county lost 4,360 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 990 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of September 2019.