County unemployment stays below state levels

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Unemployment in Yakima County continues to be lower than the state average, despite losing a significant number of jobs.

About 9,060 Yakima County residents were without jobs last month, compared with just 6,580 in September 2008, according to preliminary figures from the state Employment Security Department. That equals unemployment rates of 6.9 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.

Yakima County has continued to fare better than the state, which had an unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, of
8.8 percent.

Agriculture, particularly the apple harvest, which was in full swing last month, is likely boosting employment levels in the county, said Doug Tweedy, regional economist for the state Employment Security Department.

"With the quantity of the harvest and prices of the harvest being strong, that has helped (county unemployment) go below the state average," he said.

The state also reported a seasonally adjusted rate of 9.3 percent, nearly four percentage points above its rate in September 2008.

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

Yakima County also saw a net loss of 1,900 nonagricultural jobs in September. It had 77,400 nonagricultural jobs last month, compared with 79,300 in September 2008.

The number of jobs lost in manufacturing was more than the net loss of jobs at 2,100. Other sectors saw a drop in positions, including mining, logging and construction, which lost 900 jobs, and retail trade, which lost 400 jobs.

But several sectors showed small gains, offsetting job losses. Industries that gained jobs include two sectors tied to the agriculture industry --wholesale trade gained 300 jobs, while transportation, warehousing and utilities increased by 400 jobs.

Other sectors with gains include education and health services, and leisure and hospitality with 200 jobs each. Government added another 100 jobs.

Such gains will likely continue in the coming months, Tweedy said.

"We're probably going to start seeing some improvement," he said. "But it's going to be more modest; rather than high growth."

* Mai Hoang can be reached at 577-7685 or mhoang@yakimaherald.com.