Lewis County reported a slightly higher unemployment rate in September than the state overall, according to data released Tuesday.
According to the Employment Security Department, the county had a 4.3% unemployment rate last month, a few ticks higher than the 3.6% rate across the state. Thurston County’s unemployment rate was nearly a percentage point lower than Lewis County, at 3.4%.
To the south, both Cowlitz and Skamania counties saw lower unemployment rates than Lewis County at 4.1% and 3.5%, respectively.
While Washington’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6%, the state’s economy grew by 7,900 jobs.
Across the state, the education and health services sectors added 3,600 jobs between August and September, while service-providing jobs overall added 9,200. Accounting and bookkeeping lost 1,500 jobs last month, while personal and laundry services declined by 2,300.
Over the past year, Washington has added 55,600 nonfarm jobs to the economy.
