Unemployment rates fell slightly in Clallam and Jefferson counties last month, state officials announced.
Clallam County’s jobless rate went from a revised 8.6 percent in January to a preliminary 8.1 percent in February, the state Employment Security Department said Tuesday.
Jefferson County unemployment went from a revised 7.6 percent in January to a preliminary 7.2 percent in February.
The seasonal-adjusted statewide unemployment rate dipped from 5.1 percent in January to 4.9 percent in February.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the state gained 6,100 jobs in February, including 4,100 in the private sector.
National unemployment went from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent in February.
Unemployment rates at the county level are not seasonally adjusted because the sample size is too small to accommodate that additional analysis, Employment Security officials said.
Clallam County had 25,633 employed citizens and 2,254 seeking work last month, according to the monthly report.
The size of the Clallam County labor force was down 153 for the month and up 808 for the year.
Jefferson County had 10,793 employed residents and 843 seeking work in February.
The Jefferson County workforce was down 64 for the month and up 265 for the year.
King County had the lowest jobless rate in the state last month at 3.3 percent, followed by Snohomish (3.7 percent), Whitman (4.7 percent) and Asotin (5.1 percent) counties.
Ferry County had the highest unemployment in the state at 12.3 percent, followed by Yakima (10.0 percent), Adams (9.8 percent) and Okanogan (9.8 percent) counties.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.