Grays Harbor and Pacific County two highest in unemployment

Grays Harbor, WA – Grays Harbor had the highest unemployment rate in the state in September and Pacific County was tied for the second highest.

According to the Employment Security Department’s non-seasonally adjusted numbers, Grays Harbor’s unemployment rate fell from 11.1% in August to 10% in September.

Pacific County’s rate fell from 10.8% in August to 9.5% in September, which was tied with Ferry and Pend Oreille for the second highest in the state.

Grays Harbor’s labor force fell by over 1,000 and the total number of those employed dropped by over 600 from August, but the total number of people on unemployment dipped as well by over 400. 

Pacific County labor force dropped 375 from August and the total employment came down by 235, but the number of those on unemployment also fell by 140.

It was the fourth time in the last five months that the unemployment rate in Grays Harbor and Pacific County was lower than the previous month.

Grays Harbor	August 2020	September 2020*	September 2019
Labor Force	30,631	29,517	28,578
Total Employment	27,227	26,562	26,931
Total Unemployment	3,404	2,955	1,647
Unemployment Rate	11.1%	10.0%	5.8%

*Latest month non-seasonally adjusted

Pacific County	August 2020	September 2020*	September 2019
Labor Force	8,583	8,208	8,733
Total Employment	7,660	7,425	8,259
Total Unemployment	923	783	474
Unemployment Rate	10.8%	9.5%	5.4%

*Latest month non-seasonally adjusted