Spokane County, state jobless numbers up in June

Spokane County’s jobless rate was 9.1 percent in June, up from 8.8 percent the month before, the state reported today. The county had 21,320 adults out of work in June, an increase of more than 1,600 from May, according to Washington’s Employment Security Department. The county jobless rate of 9.1 percent is exactly the same as one year earlier, June 2010. Spokane County’s largest job gains from May to June occurred in retail trade (up 800) and food and drink businesses (up 200). Biggest losses occurred in education (down 500) and business and professional services (down 100). The education losses are seasonal and occur as schools close for the summer. The state unemployment rate in June was 9.3 percent, also up from 9 percent the month before but down slightly from 9.4 percent one year earlier. Washington counties with the highest jobless rates were Grays Harbor (13.8 percent) and Ferry (13.1 percent). Counties with the lowest June unemployment rates were Garfield (7 percent) and Whitman (7.1 percent).