Unemployment throughout Washington state rose to 4.7% in December, according to the Washington state Employment Security Department (ESD).
The agency reported Lewis County had a 6.6% unemployment rate in December, up from the 5.8% the county reported in November.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate nationwide decreased to 4.4% in December.
According to the state ESD, the largest job gains statewide in the past year have occurred in private service providers, as well as non-private service providers and health care and social assistance.
Across Southwest Washington, Thurston County reported a 5.1% unemployment rate, Skamania County saw a rate of 5.1%, Pierce County reported a 5.5% rate, Cowlitz County saw a 6.2% rate, Grays Harbor County was at 6.9%, Pacific County was at 7.5% and Wahkiakum County was at 7.9%.
