Unemployment Rate in Lewis County Falls to Lowest Level Since October 2008

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The jobless rate in Lewis County continues to fall toward pre-recession levels, with state economists reporting the area’s lowest unemployment rate since October 2008.

The Washington State Employment Security Department reported an even 8 percent jobless rate in Lewis County in June, down from 9.4 percent in May and 11.2 percent last June.

Employment Security estimates that Lewis County’s labor force stands at 28,020 people — the total overall number of people eligible to work. The labor force has shrunk from 28,460 people last month, which itself is slightly fewer than a June 2013 figure of 28,480.

Perhaps the most striking statistic is the number of people who are unemployed, which has dropped dramatically over the past month especially. In June, 2,230 people reported that they were looking for work; in May, 2,680 people were claiming unemployment benefits. Last June, 3,190 people were seeking work in Lewis County.

Year to year, the number of people looking for work fell by 960. Four-hundred-fifty fewer people were looking for work in June than in May 2014.



Ten more people found work in Lewis County from May to June, bringing the total number of people employed to 25,790. That’s 500 more people that have found work since June 2013.

One major job sector, goods producing, gained 120 jobs from May to June, and is up 140 over the year. Goods producing includes such industries as mining, construction and manufacturing. Leisure and hospitality gained 60 jobs from May to June, but overall, total nonfarm employment shed 50 jobs across the county.

The Chronicle will have more on this story in Thursday’s print edition.

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Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235