Grant Co. unemployment up for November

ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Grant County in November 2022 rose for the second straight month to 6.5% from 4.5% in October 2022 and 5.6% in November 2021, according to a report published by the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Prior to the increases in October and November, the report said Grant County unemployment had declined for 19 straight months beginning in April 2021. Out of a November 2022 civilian labor force of 47,149 people, 3,057 were reported as unemployed, an increase of 406 people from the previous month.

However, the civilian labor force in Grant County declined by 46 people during the same period, and by 1,723 from November 2021, the report said.

Total non-farm employment in Grant County in November 2022 sat at 31,790, up 40 from October and 380 from November 2021, the report said.