Unemployment rate continues downward

Wahkiakum County's rate of unemployment continued its recent downward trend, according to the latest report from the state Employment Security Department.

The drop came with a reduction in the number of people in the labor force.

Statistics released Tuesday said the county had 170 of 1,490 in the labor force, 11.4 percent, were out of work in April. In March, 190 of 1510 in the labor force, 12.8 percent, were unemployed. In April, 2011, 200 of 1,540 in the labor force, 12.7 percent, were out of work.

Statewide, unemployment fell from 8.9 percent in March to 7.9 percent in April. The rate was 9.1 percent in April, 2011. The state had a labor force of 3.49 million in April, 3.5 million in March, and 3.46 million in April, 2011.

Pacific County's rate dropped from 13.4 percent in March to 11.6 percent in April. It was 13 percent in April, 2011.

Cowlitz County's rate dropped from 12.1 percent in March to 10.8 percent in April. In April, 2011, the rate was 12.2 percent.

Whitman County had the state's lowest rate, 5.7 percent, and Ferry County had the highest, 13.8 percent. In metropolitan areas, Seattle was lowest at 6.1 percent and Pasco was highest at 9.6 percent.