The unemployment rate in Lewis County ticked up to 4.9% in October, more than a point higher than the state’s overall rate of 3.6%.
According to data released by the Employment Security Department, the county also saw an unemployment rate about half a point higher than the September rate of 4.3%. While Washington’s economy added about 7,900 jobs in September, the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged. About 4,800 of the added jobs were in the private sector, while 3,100 jobs were in the public sector.
Across Southwest Washington, Thurston County reported a 3.8% unemployment rate, Skamania County saw a rate of 4.2%, Pierce County reported a 4.4 rate and Cowlitz County saw a 4.6% rate.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country added 150,000 jobs between September and October, though the overall unemployment rate was 3.9%.
Between October 2022 and October 2023, Washington added 59,100 jobs, with 36,200 in the private sector and 22,900 jobs in the public sector.
