In March, unemployment throughout Washington state rose slightly to 4.4%, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD).
The agency reported Lewis County had a 5.7% unemployment rate last month, down from the 6.4% the county reported in January.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate nationwide sat at 4.2% in March, with 7.1 million people unemployed and 2.3 million filing for unemployment.
According to the state ESD, the largest job gains statewide in the past year have occurred in education, health services and government.
Across Southwest Washington, Thurston County reported a 4.3% unemployment rate, Skamania County saw a rate of 4.7%, Pierce County reported a 4.8% rate, Cowlitz County saw a 5.2% rate, Grays Harbor County was at 6.0%, Pacific County was at 6.2% and Wahkiakum County was at 6.3%.
