Published January 2003

County jobless rate inches lower; key sectors continue to shed workers

SCBJ Staff

Unemployment fell slightly in November in Snohomish County and statewide, thanks to retailers who took on more help for the holiday, state officials reported.

But they said key sectors of the economy remain in trouble, and the slight changes are not a sign of economic recovery.

In Snohomish County, unemployment dropped from an adjusted 7.1 percent in October to 7 percent in November. Island County fared better, dropping to 5.5 percent in November from 5.9 percent the previous month.

Statewide, when adjusted for seasonal changes, unemployment dropped three percentage points to 6 percent in November.

Donna Thompson, Snohomish County labor economist for employment security, said job increases in stores and in local schools “helped brighten an otherwise lackluster economy.”

General merchandise stores in the county added 300 workers, while clothing stores added another 200. Snohomish County schools added 300 jobs, and the insurance sector here added another 100.

Construction dropped by 500 jobs, and local governments trimmed payrolls by 100 people, Thompson said.

She noted that the number of unemployed people fell by 500 in November, leaving some 23,700 people who are still receiving unemployment checks.

In Snohomish County, the work force is estimated at 340,200 people, with 316,500 still on the job.

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