Spokane County’s unemployment rate drops slightly to 5.1 percent in May

Spokane County’s unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in May, reflecting steady job growth in the region.

The rate dropped slightly from 5.2 percent in April. It was 6.1 percent in May 2016.

“We’re seeing the job growth of the past couple of years continue,” said Doug Tweedy, regional economist with the Washington Employment Security Department.

Over the past two years, the tri-county area of Spokane, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties has added about 11,000 jobs. Projections are for the region to add about 5,000 more jobs in 2017, Tweedy said.

In May, the region had about 1,000 more construction jobs than it had a year ago, Tweedy said. The transportation, warehousing and hospitals were also growth sectors.

Other May unemployment rates by county were: Pend Oreille, 6.9 percent; Stevens, 6.9 percent; Ferry, 9.7 percent; Lincoln, 4.3 percent; Whitman, 3.8 percent.

The unemployment rates reported are not seasonally adjusted.