PORT ANGELES — Unemployment was up slightly last month in Clallam County while Jefferson County saw a small decrease and both areas showed a modest improvement from July 2014, state officials reported Tuesday.
Clallam County’s jobless rate went from a revised 7.6 percent in June to a preliminary 7.8 percent in July, according to the latest estimates from the state Employment Security Department.
Clallam County unemployment was 8.0 percent in July 2014.
Jefferson County unemployment dipped from a revised 6.9 percent in June to a preliminary 6.8 percent in July.
The Jefferson County jobless rate was 7.5 percent a year ago last month, officials said.
Clallam County had 2,060 job-seekers and 24,493 citizens holding down a job in July.
Jefferson County had 761 residents looking for work and 10,351 employed last month.
A breakdown of the types of jobs gained or lost on the North Olympic Peninsula in July was not provided with the monthly report for counties.
County jobless rates do not count those who commute to other cities or have quit looking for work.
Ferry County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.8 percent in July. San Juan County had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.9 percent.
The seasonally-adjusted statewide and national jobless rates remained at 5.3 percent in July, according to Employment Security and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Washington employers have added 108,600 jobs since July 2014 — 101,200 in the private sector and 7,400 in the public sector — officials said.
