Nevada’s unemployment rate edges tops national rate in May

Tuesday, June 22, 1999 | 9:29 a.m.

Nevada's seasonally adjusted rate was two-tenths of a percentage point higher than in April and one-tenth of a point higher than the 4.2 percent national rate in May.

There were about 39,300 Nevadans out of jobs and an estimated 964,800 people working in May, according to a report Monday from the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

DETR Director Carol Jackson said Nevada's job market remains stable despite the slight increase in the rate.

"New job creations, though down from previous run-away heights, continue to infuse the market with new employment opportunities, Jackson added.

The jobless rate in the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area rose to 4.2 percent, up three-tenths of a percentage point from April. The area, which includes Clark and Nye counties and Mohave County in Arizona, reported 30,500 people out of work.

Unemployment in the Reno area fell two-tenths of a point to 3.5 percent with 6,200 individuals jobless.

The Carson City labor market area, which also includes Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties, reported 5 percent unemployment, down four-tenths of a point with 2,750 people out of work.

Elko and Eureka counties posted a 5 percent unemployment rate, down three-tenths of a point with 1,090 jobless.

Statewide, the department said jobs in the services industries, which include hotels, casinos and recreation, reached 410,600, up 5.3 percent from May 1998.

Trade employment grew 5 percent to 197,400; government jobs rose 7 percent to 119,600; manufacturing jobs inched up 1.7 percent to 42,600; construction employment rose 1.6 percent to 87,400; transportation and public utilities was up 2.7 percent to 49,100 and finance, insurance and real estate rose 4.9 percent to 45,200.