The unemployment rate declined slightly in Clallam County, but increased in Jefferson County, during May.
The state unemployment rate rose also, the state Employment Security Department said on Tuesday.
Unemployment in Clallam County declined to 7.0 percent last month from 7.1 percent in April, but remained well above the 5.1 percent rate in May 2007.
In Jefferson County, the jobless rate was 5.6 percent, an increase from 5.3 percent in April, and well above the 4.3 percent rate in May 2007.
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.3 percent in May, up from April’s rate of 4.7 percent.
Ferry County’s unemployment rate remained the state’s highest at 9.1 percent, although it declined for a second straight month.
San Juan County’s rate was the lowest at 3.6 percent, eclipsing King County’s 3.9 percent.
May 2008 marks the first time in 20 months that the state’s unemployment rate has been above 5 percent.
The rise in unemployment was accompanied by a decline of 2,600 non-agricultural jobs.
The total number of non-agricultural jobs in the state was up 38,200, a 1.3 percent increase over the same time in 2007.
Nationally, job growth for the past year was 0.2 percent.
Industries in the state with the largest job growth in May were professional business services, 1,200 new jobs, and information, 500 new jobs.
The largest declines were in retail, down 1,100, education and health services, down 700 jobs, and government, also down 700.
“The nation’s economic downturn is finally catching up with us, but we are still doing better than a lot of the country,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.
An estimated 176,060 people (not seasonally adjusted) are unemployed and seeking work in Washington.
Employment Security and its affiliated WorkSource offices across the state continue to offer a variety of employment services to job seekers, including free help with their interviewing skills or résumés and with job referrals.
Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed in the blue pages of telephone books and online at www.go2worksource.com. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.
