PORT ANGELES — Unemployment held flat on the North Olympic Peninsula last month despite the addition of 160 new jobs in Clallam and Jefferson counties, the state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday.
Clallam County’s unemployment rate went from a revised 11 percent in February to a preliminary 11.2 percent in March.
Jefferson County’s jobless rate dipped from a revised 10.6 percent in February to a revised 10.4 percent in March.
“It’s really kind of an unusual situation,” said Elizabeth Court, regional economist for Employment Security.
“Basically, there were 50 additional unemployed people in Clallam County between February and March, and those 50 people raised unemployment from 11 [percent] to 11.2 percent in the labor force.
“But when you look at the actual jobs in the county, there was an increase in 80 positions.”
Commute
People who commute to other counties for work can skew the unemployment rates in rural counties, as was the case in March, Court said.
Clallam County gained 20 government and 60 private-sector jobs last month, mainly in natural resources, professional services and transportation and warehousing, Court said.
There were 3,300 Clallam County job-seekers looking for work in March — up 50 from February — while the labor force remained at 29,450.
Jefferson County gained 30 government jobs and 50 private-sector jobs spread across the industries.
Job-seekers
There were 1,300 Jefferson County job-seekers looking for work in March — down 20 from February — while the labor force held steady at 12,440.
“Things are very, very flat,” Court said.
Unemployment rates were higher in both counties one year ago: 11.6 percent in Clallam County and 10.9 percent in Jefferson County in March 2011.
Washington state’s unemployment rate for March remained flat at 8.3 percent, but the state added 3,000 jobs last month, marking the third consecutive month of job growth.
The state’s jobless rate is slightly higher than the national rate of 8.2 percent.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
