State Jobless Rate Hits Five-Year Low For July Gains In Manufacturing, Trade Offset Normal Seasonal Losses

Strong job growth in virtually all sectors of the economy in July pulled Washington’s unemployment rate down four-tenths of a percentage point to 5.4 percent, the lowest rate for July in five years, Employment Security Commissioner Gary Moore announced Tuesday.

“The drop occurred during a time when there is typically little change from the month before because seasonal gains are offset by school closures,” Moore said. “However, much stronger than average job growth occurred throughout much of the economy in July, especially in manufacturing, services and trade.”

The seasonally adjusted rate, as a result, fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 5.8 percent of the work force - the lowest of any month in almost five-and-a-half years.

Spokane’s unemployment rate for July was 4.7 percent compared to a revised June rate of 4.9 percent, and the same 4.9 percent for July 1995.

In an employment pool of 200,400 people, that means 191,000 had jobs and 9,400 were unemployed in the Spokane economy during the month of July.

Statewide, closure of public and private schools pulled 39,800 non-teaching staff off payrolls in July. The rest of the economy, however, added 16,700 workers compared to only 500 last year. Manufacturing payrolls jumped by 3,300 in contrast to a loss of 3,600 last July. Forest products employment was flat.

“The big movement over the month was a 2,200 worker increase in aircraft and parts,” said Dennis Fusco, chief economist for the department. “It’s the largest single-month employment hike in the industry since November 1988.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map: County-by-county monthly unemployment