By David Haerle
The Daily World
While the entire state is dealing with pandemic-induced unemployment woes, the problem is really hitting home on the Twin Harbors, where the latest jobless rate has reached double digits.
Washington’s economy saw a decrease of 9,900 jobs in December as the unemployment rate increased to 7.1% The December 2019 unemployment rate was 4.0 percent. That statewide unemployment rate got as low as 3.8% by February of 2020, just prior to the pandemic-caused recession.
Meanwhile, on the Twin Harbors, the unemployment rate in Grays Harbor County was 10.1%, and 10.7% in Pacific County — the highest rates in the state along with Ferry County at 10.1%.
Unemployment rates in neighboring counties were:
■ Lewis — 7.4%
■ Thurston — 6.5%
■ Jefferson — 8.2%
■ Mason — 8.6 %
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the private sector lost 10,600 jobs during the month and the public sector gained 700 jobs.
On a not seasonally adjusted basis, estimates for December 2019 through December 2020 indicate a decrease in employment of 189,000 for the state. The private sector lost 147,100 jobs, while the public sector lost an estimated 41,900 jobs over the year.
Some other key statistics from the BLS December 2020 report include:
■ Retail trade employment rose by 4,800 overall, with 1,600 jobs gained in food and beverage stores.
■ Employment in leisure and hospitality decreased by 20,600, with 14,900 jobs lost in food services and drinking places.
