Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

County’s jobless rate increases to record 13.9 percent

190,700 people are out of work statewide

Strip

Justin M. Bowen / File photo

An aerial view of the Las Vegas Strip is shown in 2009.

CARSON CITY – Unemployment in Clark County shot up one-half of 1 percent to another record of 13.9 percent with 141,000 workers jobless in September.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported the 13.9 percent compares with 7.4 percent in the same month a year ago.

But while the unemployment rate increased markedly in Clark County, the state rate rose only one-tenth of a percent to 13.3 percent with 190,700 people out of work.

William Anderson, chief economist for the department, said the statewide month-over-month increase in the unemployment rate was the smallest since March 2008.

“The deterioration in Nevada’s labor market eased a bit in September, but we will have to wait to see how future months unfold before we can conclude that the recession’s grip on the state’s economy is lessening,” Anderson said.

Department economists had predicted it could reach 14 percent in the next couple of months.

The construction industry in Southern Nevada was hard hit again. The department reported 69,500 workers were employed in the industry in September, down from the 73,400 in August.

Employment in casinos and hotels fell to 151,300 in September, down 1,200 workers. But those working in utilities, transportation and trade businesses rose to 154,500, up 1,100. Manufacturing totaled 23,400 jobs or 100 less than in August in Clark County.

The department reported unemployment in Washoe County rose from 12.4 percent in August to 13.1 percent in September with 29,900 workers out of a job.

Carson City’s jobless rate increased from 12.1 percent to 12.8 percent in September with 3,800 out of work.

The national rate for the month was 9.8 percent.

Anderson said the total number of unemployed Nevadans remains worrisomely high at 190,700, up nearly 85,000 from a year ago.

“The bottom line is that once the economy does begin to recover, which it will, there is much ground to be made up,” he said.

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