County jobless rate betters state again

YAKIMA, Wash. -- For a third straight month, Yakima County's unemployment rate for August was below the statewide figure despite the county having fewer jobs for a larger number of jobless residents.

About 11,040 Yakima County residents were jobless compared to 9,050 during the same month a year ago, according to preliminary figures released by the state Employment Security Department. That equals rates of 8.6 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.

The state agency also revised the county's July 2009 rate from 7.2 percent to 7.0 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted, the state had an 8.9 percent unemployment rate last month, well above the 5.3 percent it had during the same period a year ago.

The state also reported a seasonally adjusted rate of 9.2 percent, three percentage points above its rate in August 2008.

Seasonally adjusted rates account for seasonal hiring such as holiday workers. Yakima County does not report seasonally adjusted unemployment rates.

The county did report, however, that it lost 1,800 jobs year-over-year in August.

The greatest losses came in manufacturing, which lost 1,700 jobs and mining, logging and construction, which lost 1,000 jobs.

However, those losses were offset with gains in several categories including wholesale trade, which gained 500 jobs, and health services, which gained 400 jobs year-over year.