The unemployment rate in Lewis County remained steady at 5.6% in May, according to data released by the Washington Employment Security Department on Tuesday.
The figure remains unchanged from the rate Lewis County saw in April, and comes after the county reported a 6.7% rate in March, a 7.8% rate in February and a 7.1% rate in January. Though the Washington economy grew by 16,000 jobs in May, the rate statewide grew slightly to 4.9%. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the economy nationwide ticked up to 4.0% in May though nonfarm unemployment grew by 272,000 jobs.
According to the Department of Labor, the largest job gains nationwide occurred in health care, government, leisure and hospitality, and professional, scientific and technical services. In Washington, the sectors that reported the highest job growth between April and May were leisure and hospitality, food service, and health services.
Between May 2023 and May 2024, employment in Washington increased by 52,700, which includes 31,300 jobs in the private sector and 21,400 jobs in the public sector.
Across Southwest Washington, Thurston County reported a 4.4% unemployment rate, Skamania County saw a rate of 4.8%, Pierce County reported a 5.1% rate, Cowlitz County saw a 5.1% rate, Grays Harbor County is at 6.3%, Pacific County is at 5.9% and Wahkiakum County is at 6.9%.
