Published September 2002

Jobless rate rises to 7.6%

By Mike Benbow
Herald Business Editor

After remaining relatively flat for several months, the jobless rate in Snohomish County rose in July, due primarily to continuing layoffs at the Boeing Co. and seasonal drops at local schools and colleges.

Unemployment was 7.6 percent in the county in July, up two-tenths of a percentage point, the state Department of Employment Security reported.

The state rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 6.9 percent, the agency announced. Adjusted for seasonal factors, the statewide increase was three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.1 percent. The equivalent national rate was 5.9 percent.

“The July numbers underscore the tenuous state of Washington’s labor market,” said Sylvia Mundy, commissioner of the department. “We remain guardedly optimistic that the state’s economy is poised for gradual recovery, yet recognize that job losses in some sectors of our economy will continue, particularly in manufacturing.”

In July, Snohomish County had 700 fewer workers than in June and some 10,100 fewer than last year at this time. That means we’ve lost about 4.6 percent of our nonagricultural job base during the past 12 months.

July layoffs at Boeing and at other aerospace-related firms accounted for 400 lost jobs. There were 1,300 fewer education jobs in local and state institutions here in July as teachers took the summer off.

Some of the losses were offset by increases in such areas as retail trade, finance, lumber and wood products, printing and publishing, and instruments.

Construction jobs, which had swelled in recent years as the county has grown, remained flat in July at 13,900 positions, according to Donna Thompson, Snohomish County labor economist for employment security. She said there were 3,100 fewer jobs in construction compared to a year ago.

The county numbers mean that out of an estimated labor force of 341,700 people, some 315,600 were working in July, and 26,100 were looking for work.

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