Unemployment rate up from record low

Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 | 10:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's unemployment rate in November inched up to 3.7 percent with an estimated 42,000 people out of work, but it is only one-tenths of a percent higher than the record low of 3.6 percent in October.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported today the November rate is 1.2 percentage points lower than the same month a year ago. And it is 1.7 percentage points below the national rate.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "Lower unemployment -- more than 50,000 new jobs created in the past year -- and renewed optimism in the rural counties are positive signs for a good holiday season and a strong start to 2005."

The department said the unemployment rate in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical area that includes Clark and Nye counties and Arizona's Mohave County remained at 3.5 percent with an estimated 33,700 individuals out of work. That is 600 more than in October.

Total employment in the state reached 1,167,200, up 4.7 percent from a year ago.

Department Director Birgit Baker said, "The start of the holiday season was a good one for Nevada's economy.

"Solid holiday retail hiring helped offset seasonal declines in the construction and tourism industries, and the unemployment rate remained close to the record low established in October."

The department said statewide the number of construction jobs totaled 117,300, up 11.8 percent from a year ago; employment in casino hotels and gaming inched up 0.6 percent to 206,200; manufacturing reported 46,300 employed, up 4 percent and retail trade reported 132,600 employed, a gain of 4.8 percent compared with November 2003.

Professional and business services statewide reported 135,600, up 8 percent from November 2003 and government employment rose 4.4 percent to 144,900.

Total employment in the Las Vegas area reached 884,000, up 5.2 percent from a year ago. Construction jobs totaled 93,900, up 11 percent; manufacturing employment rose 5.4 percent to 27,500 and the casino hotels and gaming reported 167,800 employed, up 1.3 percent from November 2003.

The department said professional and business services in the Las Vegas area accounted for 102,200 jobs, up 7.1 percent; education and health services had 60,900 employed, up 5.5 percent; and government jobs increased 4.7 percent to 97,400 compared with a year ago.

Washoe County reported an unemployment rate of 3 percent with 6,200 jobless. That's up from 2.8 percent in October but down from the 3.9 percent November 2003. Total employment reached 213,400, up 4 percent from a year ago.

The Carson City labor market that includes Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties registered an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent, up from 3.8 percent in October but still below the 5.6 percent of a year ago. There were an estimated 2,570 people unemployed. Total employment reached 59,020, up 1.8 percent from November 2003.

Elko and Eureka counties had a 3.5 percent jobless rate, up from 3.1 percent in October but down from the 4.9 percent of a year ago in November. There were an estimated 730 people out of work. Total employment rose 5.3 percent from a year ago to 20,200.