Carson City job growth up 3.6 percent over year, Reno up 4.8 percent

Job growth in Carson City increased by 1,100 jobs or 3.6 percent over October 2018, according to metropolitan area figures released Tuesday by Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Reno employment figures increased 4.8 percent, and Las Vegas, 1.3 percent over the course of the year.

Nevada’s October labor market continues to grow slightly while unemployment declined in most of the state’s metropolitan areas, according to the October 2019 report. Statewide, jobs increased by 2.2 percent, a gain of 30,800 new jobs added since October of last year.

During this same time the Reno metropolitan statistical area added 11,900 jobs and Las Vegas, 13,100 jobs after accounting for seasonal patterns.

When compared to September, the Las Vegas and Reno MSAs both grew by 700 jobs, and the Carson MSA grew by 100 jobs, also when accounting for seasonal patterns.

Unemployment rates in October declined when compared to October 2018 in all the state’s MSAs, counties except for Esmeralda county, and in all reported cities. When compared to September 2019, the Las Vegas Metro and city areas remained constant at 4.0 percent unemployment, while the Reno and Carson metro areas decreased. On a county level, there were seven counties that showed no change in unemployment, nine counties that had decreasing unemployment, and White Pine county showed an increase in unemployment of 0.1 percent to 2.8 percent all compared to September this year.

“In October, Nevada’s employment growth fell to a lower level than we have seen over the past several years. Both the total change over the year as well as the growth rate were the lowest since 2013. However, October 2018 marked the first of four very strong months, making the year-ago comparison more challenging this month. The unemployment rates in many of our metro areas, counties, and cities showed small decreases or remained constant especially when compared to September this year. When compared to October 2018, the vast majority of our sub-state areas still showed decreasing unemployment rates with a few exceptions. Overall, this month’s data paints a generally positive picture, though as in recent months the national outlook remains uncertain.” said David Schmidt, Chief Economist, for Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation.

Additional October 2019 Economic Report Highlights: Job Growth in October (Seasonally-Adjusted):

— Carson City increased 100 jobs over the month, and is up 1,100 jobs over the year (3.6 percent).

— Reno added 700 jobs over the month, and 11,900 over the year (4.8 percent).

— Las Vegas is up 700 jobs over the month, and is up 13,100 over the year (1.3 percent).

Unemployment:
— Carson City: 3.4 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from last month, and down 0.7 percent from October 2018.

— Reno: 2.8 percent; down 0.1 percentage point from September, down 0.5 percent from this time last year.

— Las Vegas: 4.0 percent; unchanged from September, and down 0.5 percentage point from a year ago.

— When compared to September 2019 nine counties had decreases in unemployment. These included Eureka at 0.6 percent; Lyon, Storey, Mineral, and Nye at 0.3 percent; Carson City at 0.2 percent; and Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Washoe at 0.1 percent.

— Seven counties had no change in unemployment since September; Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Humboldt, Lander, and Pershing.

— White Pine county had an increase of 0.1 percent compared to September, but still has an unemployment rates of 2.8 percent.

— When compared to October 2018, all counties except for Esmeralda had decreases in unemployment, and Esmeralda increased 0.5 percent to 4.5 percent.

— The reported published cities all experienced decreases over the year ranging from a decrease of 0.3 percent in Boulder City to a decrease of 0.9 percent in Fernley.

— Compared to September of this year, most of the published cities had decreases in unemployment with the exception of Las Vegas city remaining constant, and Elko city increasing 0.2 percent.

In a report examining the labor markets of Nevada’s counties on a year-to-date through October basis, it was found that employment is up in 12 of 17 counties, and unemployment is down in many counties when compared to the same period in 2018.

While examining the number of establishments in the four major areas in the state, it was found that the number of establishments in Reno and Las Vegas has surpassed pre-recession peaks, while Carson City and the Balance of State have not yet reached theirs, the report states.