August sees another decline in county unemployment

• Three hundred and sixty-nine people were unemployed in August in Lincoln County

The unemployment rate for Lincoln County continued its slide in August, hitting a preliminary number of 4 percent, down from a revised July figure of 4.3 percent, and compared to August 2017 at 5.1 percent.

The workforce in the county decline slightly from 9,200 in July to 9,161 in August, but was up from a year ago when the figure was 9,078. Three hundred and sixty-nine people were unemployed. The county beat the state unemployment rate, but was slightly above the national figure.

New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in August 2018, down from 4.7 percent in July and 6.0 percent a year ago, according to information from Stacy Johnson of the Economic Research & Analysis Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. 

The national unemployment rate in August was 3.9 percent, unchanged from July and down from 4.4 percent in August 2017. Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 16,000 jobs, or 1.9 percent, between August 2017 and August 2018, Johnson's monthly analysis reported.

Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 16,000 jobs, or 1.9 percent, between August 2017 and August 2018. All aggregate gains came from the private sector, which was up 16,100 jobs, or 2.5 percent. The public sector was down 100 jobs, or 0.1 percent. Growth was reported in both components of the private sector. The private service-providing industries were up 12,400 jobs, or 2.2 percent, while the goods-producing industries were up 3,700 jobs, representing a gain of 3.9 percent, Johnson's report stated

More: Unemployment in July:Unemployment in Lincoln County dips slightly in July

Seven supersector-level industries added jobs and three lost jobs. Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 5,500 jobs, or 5.6 percent, reporting the largest numeric and percentage increase among all supersector-level industries. That particular sector along with retail sales is most significant for the village of Ruidoso, which depends on tourism.

Professional and business services employment was up 4,000 jobs, or 3.8 percent, over the year. Mining and construction employment grew by 3,000 jobs, or 4.5 percent. Within this supersector, construction increased by 2,300 jobs, or 5.0 percent, while mining reported a gain of 700 jobs, or 3.3 percent, according to the report.

Employment in financial activities grew by 1,500 jobs, or 4.4 percent. Trade, transportation, and utilities was up 1,400 jobs, or 1.0 percent. Within this supersector, employment in transportation, warehousing, and utilities was up 1,700 jobs, or 7.0 percent; wholesale trade was up 600 jobs, or 2.8 percent; and retail trade reported a loss of 900 jobs, or 1.0 percent.

Employment in education and health services increased by 1,000 jobs, or 0.7 percent. Within the supersector, educational services employment was up 700 jobs, or 3.8 percent, while health care and social assistance employment was up 300 jobs, or 0.3 percent.

Employment in the information industry decreased by 900 jobs, or 7.1 percent, over the year.

Within the public sector, local government was up 500 jobs, or 0.5 percent. The growth occurred despite a loss of 600 jobs, or 1.2 percent, in local government education. State government employment decreased by 400 jobs, or 0.8 percent, with state government education posting a gain of 500 jobs, or 2.3 percent. Federal government reported a loss of 200 jobs, or 0.7 percent.

Detailed analysis will be provided in the Labor Market Review scheduled for release on September 28. Data can be found online at www.dws.state.nm.us under “Labor Market Information/Data, Statistics & Dashboards.