The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Unemployment up in Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County’s rate of unemployment increased from 7.9 percent in December to 8.4 percent in January, according to the latest report from the Washington Employment Security Department.

The figures said 150 of 1,730 people in the labor force were out of work in January, 8.4 percent, compared to 130 of 1,690 in December, 7.9 percent.

In January, 2007, 120 of 1,530 in the labor force, 7.3 percent, were out of work.

Statewide, unemployment rose from 4.8 percent in December to 5.2 percent in January. In January, 2007, the rate was 5.4 percent.

The rate in Cowlitz County rose from 6.8 percent in December to 8 percent in January. In January, 2007, the rate was 7.2 percent.

The rate in Pacific County fell from 10.2 percent in December to 7.6 percent in January. In January, 2007, the rate was 7.5 percent.

In small urban and rural areas, Whitman County had the lowest rate at 4.2 percent, and Ferry County had the highest at 10.8 percent.

In major urban areas, King County had the state’s lowest rate, 3.7 percent, and Yakima had the highest, 9.1 percent.