PORT ANGELES — Unemployment hovered around double digits on the North Olympic Peninsula in June with nominal decreases in the Clallam and Jefferson County jobless rates.
Clallam County’s preliminary jobless rate was 10.0 percent last month, down slightly from a revised 10.2 percent in May despite the loss of 90 jobs, the state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday.
Jefferson County’s jobless rate was 9.5 percent in June, down slightly from a revised 9.8 percent in May.
Clallam County lost 200 government jobs but gained 110 in the private sector.
Gains were seen in the retail trade and goods-producing industries, with 70 and 50 jobs gained, respectively.
Jefferson County
“In Jefferson County, the picture was slightly different,” said Elizabeth Court, labor economist for Clallam, Jefferson, Island, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
“There was a gain, overall, of 120 jobs, which is pretty good news.”
Job gains in Jefferson County were confined to the private sector, with no change in the government outlook.
The labor forces basically were flat in both counties.
Clallam County had 28,970 residents in the labor force, with 2,890 seeking work.
Jefferson County had a 12,400-member workforce, with 1,180 unemployed.
Jobless rate a year ago
The jobless rates were similar in both counties one year ago. It was 10.2 percent in Clallam County and 9.8 percent in Jefferson County in June 2011.
Meanwhile, the state unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent in June. National unemployment was 8.2 percent.
San Juan County had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent in June. Grays Harbor County had the highest at 13.0 percent.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
