Jobless rate climbs in Las Vegas

Wednesday, June 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's unemployment rate in May rose to 5.4 percent with an estimated 41,800 people out of work, the state reported today.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said the rate is four-tenths of a percent higher than April but still below the 5.6 percent national average.

The statistics show the jobless rate fell in Northern Nevada but rose in the Las Vegas area.

Department Director Carol Jackson said, "Nevada's job growth continues to outpace most other states," registering a 7.5 percent increase over the year. "That and a relatively flat unemployment rate gives us cause to believe Nevada's economy continues to look strong."

Employment reached 839,800 in May, an increase of 58,700 over those employed in the same month in 1995.

Statewide, employment in construction reached 71,300, up 18 percent from a year ago in May. The service industries, which include gaming and tourism, rose 6.7 percent with 365,700 jobs. Government increased to 101,600 employees, up 3.1 percent. Trade accounted for 168,600 jobs, up 8.8 percent in Nevada.

The department reported the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area registered a 5 percent unemployment rate with an estimated 30,900 out of work. That's four-tenths of a percent higher than April when there were 28,700 jobless.

The area includes Clark and Nye counties and Mohave County in Arizona.

In the year-to-year comparison for the Las Vegas area, employment in construction rose by 21.3 percent to 56,400 workers. Job holders in the service industry totaled 268,900, up 6.8 percent from a year ago.

The state said trade employment rose 9.4 percent to 119,100 job holders and government inched up 2.5 percent with 61,400 jobs filled in the Las Vegas area.

Unemployment in Washoe County fell to 4.6 percent, down one-tenth of a percent from April. There were an estimated 7,600 jobless, or 100 less than in April. Employment rose to 173,300 in May, up 5.5 percent from the previous year in the Reno-Sparks area.

The state said unemployment in the Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey county areas fell to 6.7 percent, down one-tenth of a percent. There were an estimated 3,470 people jobless in the area.

The Elko-Eureka counties area posted a 5.1 percent unemployment rate, down from the 5.3 percent in april. There were an estimated 1,080 people without jobs.