Unemployment rate scoots upward

Wahkiakum County's rate of unemployment edged upward from 9.9 percent in January to 11.5 percent in February, according to the latest numbers from the state Employment Security Department (ESD).

The numbers said 160 of 1,390 people in the labor force, 11.5 percent, were out of work in Feburary. In January, 150 of 1,470, 9.9 percent, were out of work. Wahkiakum's February rate was fourth highest in the state's non-metropolitan areas.

Statewide, after several months of increasing unemployment rates, Washington’s unemployment rate for the month of February remained steady at 6.3 percent.

Cowlitz County's unemployment rate increased from 9.3 percent in January to 9.8 percent in February.

Pacific County's rate, third highest in the state, rose from 11.3 percent in January to 12.1 percent in February.

In metropolitan areas, Seattle had the lowest rate at 5 percent, and Pasco had the highest, 11.4 percent.

In non-metropolitan areas, Whitman County had the state's lowest rate, 6.4 percent, and Ferry County had the highest, 15.1 percent.

The February Monthly Employment Report estimates employment increased by 94,700 jobs from February 2014 to February 2015, on a not seasonally adjusted basis, with 83,400 new jobs in the private sector and 11,300 new jobs in the public sector.

Washington’s revised unemployment rate for January 2015 was also 6.3 percent (revised from 6.4 percent). The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.5 percent.

Washington’s resident labor force continued to grow with more than 3.54 million people in the workforce, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16. The number of unemployed, or those who currently do not have a job but have actively looked for work in the last four weeks, dropped from 224,400 in January 2015 to 222,300 in February 2015.

The state saw continued job growth in all but one major industry. The top five industry sectors with the largest employment gains from February 2014 to February 2015 were:

Construction 17,900 jobs;

Professional and business services with 14,300 new jobs;

Retail trade with 12,800 jobs;

Government with 11,300 new jobs, and

Education and health services with 9,900 new jobs.

The mining and logging industry lost 300 jobs from February 2014 to February 2015.