Unemployment throughout Washington state remained at 4.5% in September, according to the Washington state Employment Security Department (ESD).
The agency reported Lewis County had a 4.1% unemployment rate in September, down from the 5.5% the county reported in August.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate nationwide increased to 4.4% in September.
According to the state ESD, the largest job gains statewide in the past year have occurred in private service providers, as well as non-private service providers and healthcare and social assistance.
Across Southwest Washington, Thurston County reported a 3.8% unemployment rate, Skamania County saw a rate of 3.7%, Pierce County reported a 5.2% rate, Cowlitz County saw a 4.6% rate, Grays Harbor County was at 4.9%, Pacific County was at 5% and Wahkiakum County was at 6.2%.
