Nevada’s jobless rate at lowest point in 34 months

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent in November, a decline of four-tenths of a percentage point compared to a year ago and another sign the state's economy is on the upswing.

The rate was the lowest in Nevada since the 4.3 percent tallied in January 2001. It compares to 5 percent in October 2003.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported today this was the 20th consecutive month Nevada has posted a lower jobless rate than the nation, which was at 5.9 percent last month. California's rate was 6.4 percent.

There were an estimated 48,700 unemployed in Nevada, down 5,500 workers from a year ago.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "The decline in Nevada's unemployment rate and the rapid increase in job growth over the past several months show that the state's economy is vibrant, despite minimal growth in gaming industry employment.

"Several hotel openings in the next 18 months and positive news from the mining industry should provide further stimulus."

Hotels and casinos reported employment at 205,200 in November, a 0.9 percent increase from the same month of a year ago.

The department said the jobless rate in the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area that includes Clark and Nye counties and Mohave County in Arizona fell to 4.5 percent, down from 5 percent a year ago. There were an estimated 39,600 people without jobs in this area.

Total employment in the Las Vegas area rose to 831,000, an increase of 4 percent compared to a year ago.

Department Director Myla Florence said statewide there were job gains in every employment sector except telecommunications and natural resources and mining.

The department said that statewide the number of jobs in construction grew to 101,100, an increase of 8 percent; manufacturing was up 2.6 percent to 44,000; trade registered a 3.6 percent gain to 202,400; telecommunications fell 9 percent to 7,700 workers; natural resources was off 1.1 percent to 8,600 employed; professional and business services reported 121,600 on the job, an increase of 4.6 percent and government gained 2 percent to 139,500 workers.

In the Las Vegas area, hotels and casinos reported 165,400 jobs, an increase of 1.7 percent from November 2002; construction gained 8.2 percent to 83,100 workers; manufacturing was up 4.5 percent to 25,400 workers; trade rose 4.2 percent to 150,600; telecommunications dropped 8.1 percent to 5,700 jobs; professional and business services reported 93,400 jobs, an increase of 3.4 percent and government gained 3.1 percent to 94,100 workers.

The department reported the unemployment rate in Washoe County dipped to 3.6 percent, compared to 3.9 percent a year ago. There were an estimated 7,100 workers out of work. Total employment reached 205,200 persons, up 3.1 percent from November 2002.

The Carson City labor market area, which includes Carson and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties, reported 3,090 persons unemployed or a 5.1 percent rate, compared to 5.3 percent of a year ago. There were 58,840 employed, down 1.5 percent.

Elko and Eureka counties posted a 4.3 percent unemployment rate, down from 4.9 percent of a year ago. There were an estimated 900 workers out of a job. Total employment inched up to 19,810, up 0.7 percent.