The unemployment rate declined in Clallam and Jefferson counties in July, while joblessness increased statewide.
Unemployment in Clallam County declined from 7.5 percent in June to 7.4 percent in July, the state Employment Security Department said on Tuesday.
The unemployment rate in Clallam County remains higher than it was last year.
In July 2007, the unemployment rate was 5.8 percent.
Jefferson County’s situation is similar.
Unemployment in Jefferson County dropped from 6 percent in June to 5.8 percent in July.
The unemployment rate in Jefferson County in July 2007 was 4.7 percent.
The statewide unemployment rate rose from 5.4 percent in June to 5.7 percent in July.
At the same time, the state added 3,300 non-agricultural jobs, the state said.
That’s because more people are looking for work, Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee said in a written statement.
Rising prices translate into “families looking for ways to increase their income,” she said.
An estimated 189,300 unemployed people were seeking work in the state in July.
The national unemployment rate was also 5.7 percent in July.
The average unemployment rate in July 2007 was 4.4 percent statewide, and 4.7 percent nationwide.
Unemployment in July was the highest in the state in Cowlitz County at 8.6 percent.
The lowest unemployment rate in the state was in King County at 4.1 percent.
Non-agricultural jobs in the state were up 29,500 over July 2007, which is an increase of 1 percent.
