Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from last month. It was 10.6 percent in August, down from 15.5 percent in July. It was 4.2 percent the year before. Lincoln County had the highest rate in the state and it was the only county with a double-digit rate. The county’s unemployment rate reached a peak of 12.6 percent during the Great Recession. The statewide unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in August, and the national rate was 8.4 percent.
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased by 230 in August to 15,960 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 50 jobs was expected for the month, but the county’s total nonfarm employment increased by 280. The private sector added all 280 jobs and net government employment was unchanged. The leisure and hospitality sector added 220 jobs.
The federal government added 60 jobs, mostly due to the 2020 Census. Indian tribal government cut 60 jobs. Other industries had smaller changes. August’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a loss of 2,870 jobs compared with one year before, a decrease of 14.6 percent. Almost every major industry lost jobs over the year. Leisure and hospitality accounted for most of the drop with a loss of 1,290 jobs, down 24.2 percent from the year before.
