Jobless rate at lowest in 19 years

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997 | 10:14 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's November unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent -- the lowest point in 19 years, the state reported today.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said November's unemployment rate, down from 4.2 in October, was also lower than the national average of 4.6 percent. The state rate is at its lowest since August 1978.

November saw an estimated 33,700 jobless persons in the state, down from 36,500 in October. That's 9,700 fewer than reported the same month a year ago.

"Nevada's steadily declining unemployment rate and continued job growth is a strong indication of the state's overall healthy economy," employment department Director Carol Jackson said. "Despite an over-the-year loss of jobs in the mining industry, we continue to post a 5.7 percent job-growth rate -- still among the highest in the nation."

In the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area, unemployment fell from 4.2 percent in October to 3.8 percent in November with an estimated 26,000 people out of work. The area includes Clark and Nye counties in Nevada and Mohave County in Arizona.

The department said total employment in the Las Vegas area grew by 7.2 percent from November 1996.

Statewide the declining unemployment rate can be, in part, attributed to California's continued healthy business climate, Jackson said.

When California was losing jobs at a steady rate, Nevada's interstate unemployment claims soared.

"Now we are experiencing the lowest percentage of interstate unemployment claims since 1970," Jackson said.

Total statewide employment reached 870,300, up 51,100 from a year ago.

The service industry, which includes casinos and hotels, grew by 19,100 jobs; trade was up by 10,000 jobs; construction gained 5,700 jobs; transportation and finance both rose by 2,200 jobs; and government employment increased by 1,700 positions.

The only loss noted was by the mining industry which reported a decline of 100 jobs, due to mine closures or cutbacks because of declining gold prices.

In the Las Vegas area, the service industry added 294,200 jobs, up 6.3 percent from a year ago; construction reported 67,000 additional jobs, up 6.7 percent; manufacturing reported 22,600 additional positions, up 4.1 percent; trade reported 134,000 new jobs, up 6.1 percent; finance reported creating 30,800 new jobs, up 5.1 percent; transportation reported 32,200 new positions, up 3.9 percent; and government reported 69,400 new jobs, up 3.1 percent.

Unemployment in Reno remained at 3.2 percent in November compared to the previous month with 5,500 people jobless. Total employment was up 4.3 percent from a year ago.

The Carson City area posted a 5.4 percent unemployment rate, up one-tenth of a percent from October with 2,790 people out of work. The area includes Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. Employment inched up .2 percent.

Elko and Eureka counties registered a 3.6 percent unemployment rate, up one-tenth of a percent from October. Total employment rose 3.1 percent.