Carson City December unemployment rate drops by 2.7 percent over 2011 figures
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 01/18/2013 - 3:48pm
Nevada's unemployment figures continue to show relative signs of improvement with a decline in figures for December at 10.2 percent compared to November's 10.8 percent. In Carson City, the drop was significant, with 10.1 percent unemployment for the month compared to 12.8 percent a year ago, a 2.7 percent difference.
The statewide figure amounts to 138,800 people unemployed and it marks the lowest the rate has been since February 2009, said Bill Anderson, chief economist for Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. The unemployment rate averaged 11.6 percent for 2012, down nearly two percentage points from 2011.
“I'm pleased that we've ended the year on a positive note, with four straight months of decline in the unemployment rate and a gain of nearly 19,000 jobs in December compared to a year ago, but we have much more room for improvement,” Governor Brian Sandoval said in a news release.
Besides Carson City the state's two other major population centers showed improvements. Las Vegas’ rate fell to 10 percent, from 13.3 percent in December 2011. For the second month in a row, the Reno/Sparks rate was in the single-digits and is down 2.8 points from a year ago, at 9.6 percent.
“All major indicators suggest that Nevada ended the year on a strong note,” Anderson said. “Unemployment is down, job readings are up, and initial claims for unemployment insurance are trending down. Along with other factors, this gives clear indication that Nevada’s economy is indeed on the mend. While improvement is slow, these are still good signs that we are heading in a positive direction.”
See the full report below.
