Nevada’s unemployment rate drops again in February; Carson City at 9.9 percent
Nevada’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent in February, according to figures released Friday from Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Carson City had the highest unemployment rate among the state’s three metro areas in February at 9.9 percent. Las Vegas had the lowest jobless rate at 8.6 percent.
Statewide there are 116,600 people who are jobless for the month, a 0.2 of a percentage point decrease from January to February and 0.5 of a percentage point since December, said Bill Anderson, chief economist for Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
The unemployment rate recorded in the Reno/Sparks area was 8.8 percent. Unadjusted sub-state unemployment rates all fell over-the-year, with the largest decline occurring in Reno/Sparks (-2.0 percentage points). Las Vegas nearly matched that fall with a drop of 1.9 percentage points, and Carson City’s decline was 1.5 percentage points.
The sub-state unemployment rates are not adjusted for seasonality, so a direct comparison to the statewide adjusted unemployment rate is not valid. For reference, the statewide unadjusted rate was 8.7 percent, down from 10.5 percent a year ago.
“It is encouraging to see the continued improvement in our economy,” said Gov. Brian Sandoval. “Nevada has now experienced 38 consecutive months of job growth, and the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since October 2008. While the news continues to be positive, too many in our state remain out of work. We must continue our focus on job creation until every Nevadan who wants a job has one.”
See the full news release below.