05/24/2008: "SJ County Unemployment Rate At Only 3.6%"

The seasonal nature of the San Juan County economy revealed itself again in April. According to preliminary data released by the Washington Employment Security Department the unemployment rate for San Juan County in April was 3.6 percent (not seasonally adjusted).

The April rate was six-tenths of a percentage point below the revised March rate of 4.2 percent. The county’s rate is one percentage point below the state rate, which came in at 4.6 percent (not seasonally adjusted).

The April 2008 unemployment rate of 3.6 percent was four-tenths of a percentage point above the April 2007 rate. While the jobless rate rose somewhat during the past year, employers did manage to add 340 San Juan County residents to their payrolls. The data show that 8,220 San Juan County residents were gainfully employed in April while 310 were looking for work.

Nonfarm employment in the county totaled 5,830 in April, up 290 over the March total and 170 over the total from last year at this time. Over the month, Services employment was up 240 while the Goods sectors gained 50 jobs in April.

On the Services side, Government posted a gain of 50 jobs in April. On the Goods side, the Construction grouping (+20) and the Manufacturing industry (+10) posted a solid over-the-month gains in April.

Over the year, nonfarm employment was up by 3.0 percent (the statewide average was 1.6 percent). The Services sectors led the way as they added 110 new jobs while Goods employment was up 60 over the year.

On the Services side, the Information and Financial Activities sectors added 10 jobs. On the Goods side, the Construction grouping (+60) posted a solid over the year gain while the Manufacturing sector lost 10 paychecks since April 2007.

( Report compiled by Joe Giannamore, Regional Labor Economist for the Washington Workforce Development Area 3 (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island) Labor Market & Economic Analysis (LMEA) Washington State Employment Security Department.)