Spokane County’s jobless rate edges up

Spokane County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent in June from 5.3 percent in May, bucking a state and national move downward.

Statewide, the jobless rate decreased to 5.5 percent in June from 5.6 percent in May for a gain of 7,600 nonfarm jobs, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Jobless rates for Spokane County and Washington are not seasonally adjusted.

The national unemployment rate for June was 5 percent, down from 5.1 percent in May.

In Spokane County, the leisure and hospitality sector saw an 800-job increase in the past year, with 300 of those jobs added in June. The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 1,500 jobs in the past year, with 200 of those added in June. There were 200 fewer government jobs in the county in June compared with a year ago, and 300 fewer manufacturing jobs.

Spokane County’s labor force was 225,300 in June, down slightly from 225,700 in May.

Since June 2004, nearly 58,000 jobs have been added in Washington, with the biggest gains in construction and professional and business services.