Lewis County Fares Worse Than State in Unemployment, Better Than Neighbors

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Washington’s unemployment rates appear to be plateauing after months of recovery from the pandemic, according to the state Employment Security Department’s (ESD) most recent monthly report.

The state’s April unemployment rate is at 5.5%, seasonally adjusted — identical to the ESD’s revised estimate the month prior.

And Lewis County’s non-adjusted unemployment rate has been hovering around 7% since early this year. That’s higher than the state’s non-adjusted rate, which sits at 6.1%.

The bulk of Lewis County’s neighbors are faring worse in their unemployment rates — Pacific County at 8.6%, Grays Harbor at 8.9%, Wahkiakum at 7.6%, Cowlitz at 7.3%, Skamania at 7.3% and Yakima at 8.1%. Thurston stands at 6%, while Pierce matches Lewis County’s 7%.

Washington’s 5.5% unemployment is slightly under the national average of 6.1%, and April brought gains in leisure and hospitality, government and wholesale trade. Meanwhile, professional and business services, transportation, warehousing and facilities, manufacturing and information sectors all suffered more losses.

While rates are stabilizing after last spring’s massive spike, unemployment is still higher than some expect as the economy begins to emerge from an economic standstill. A smattering of “Help Wanted” signs are still on display in the area, and in an update with county leaders this month, Richard DeBolt, executive director at the Lewis Economic Development Council, pointed to an “employment gap” causing local shortages. He specifically highlighted Good Health Nutrition Center’s struggle with a lid shortage, as well as a separate shortage in commercially-licensed drivers. DeBolt blamed the issue on “stimulus (checks) and add-ons to unemployment” disincentivizing workers from seeking jobs.

Nationally, April’s job report also showed only slow recovery — far less jobs were gained than many experts expected, according to news reports.



The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed the nation’s unemployment rate changing only slightly in April, “down considerably from their recent highs in April 2020,” but still well above pre-pandemic levels.