County jobless rate hits 37-year low
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:52 AM PDT
By Evan Caldwell
Printable version
E-mail this articleCowlitz County unemployment fell to its lowest March level since at least 1970 last month, but economists say the statistic may portray a somewhat rosy view.
The jobless rate dipped to 5.9 percent, down from 7.1 in February, according to the state Employment Security Department.
March unemployment was the county's lowest for any month since September 2000, when it hit 5.6 percent, and was equalled last October.
Employment Security's regional economist Scott Bailey said last month's dip was caused mostly by a decline in people filing unemployment claims. Job growth was not spectacular, with employment increasing by 100 jobs, to 38,300.
"The big drop doesn't match up with employment growth," Bailey said.
Bailey added that strong construction hiring in January and February likely helped reduce the number of unemployment claims in March. Construction workers make most of those requests, he said.
The county has gained about 500 jobs so far this year, with Bailey saying job growth has been slow but steady.
"Let's not quite break out the champagne," he said. "But overall the labor market has been improving."
About 2,600 county residents were without a job last month.
The state's overall jobless rate also dipped to a record low of 4.6 percent in March, down. That's the lowest since the state began keeping records in their current form in 1970.
Over the last year, employment is up in many local industries, such as construction, retail trade, transportation, government, and education and health services, according to state statistics.
Manufacturing employment is up 100 jobs since last March, largely in metals and machinery but not in wood products, Bailey said.
Nationally, the unemployment remained low last month at 4.4 percent, down from 4.5 a month earlier and 4.7 in March 2007.
Elsewhere in the local area in March, the jobless rate:
• Fell to 6.6 percent in Wahkiakum County, down from 6.9 percent in February and 6.7 percent in March 2006.
• Decreased to 7.3 percent in Lewis County, down from 8.5 percent in February but up from 7.1 percent a year earlier.
• Dropped to 6.8 percent in Pacific County, down from 7.9 percent in February but up from 6.7 percent in March 2006.
Jobless rates by month for Cowlitz County
..........................2005............2006...........2007
Jan........................8.5................7..............7.5
Feb........................8.6.............7.2..............7.1
March.....................7.6.............6.4..............5.9
April.......................7.7.............6.1
May........................6.9............6.2
June.......................7.4............6.7
July........................6.8............6.8
Aug........................7.1............6.6
Sept.......................6.3............6.2
Oct.........................6.5............5.9
Nov.........................7.1...........6.5
Dec........................6.3............6.2
Source: state Department of Employment Security
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