State jobless rate dips below 4 percent

Nevada's unadjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent in October.

Birgit Baker, head of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said that coupled with job growth of 6 percent over the past year - more than four times the national average - puts the state in an enviable position compared to other states.

"No other state has come close to Nevada's performance," she said. "Nevada's economy continues to produce thousands of new jobs each month."

The private sector added 6,800 jobs in October, despite seasonal reductions in the tourism industry. Nevada now has a work force of more than 1.2 million and only 48,100 reported out of work.

In the Carson City area, unemployment dropped to 4.2 percent - down two-10ths from September and one-10th lower than a year ago. The capital city now has a labor force totaling 27,200.

The Las Vegas-Paradise area's non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down three-10ths of a percent to 3.9 percent, one-10th lower than a year ago.

The Reno-Sparks area's non-seasonally adjusted October jobless rate was 3.5 percent in October, also down three-10ths of a percentage point over the month but one-10th of a percentage point higher than the same month last year.

The Elko area reported unemployment at 3.5 percent, down four-10ths of a percent over the month and equal to a year ago.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports the unemployment rate at 5.1 percent for September, the latest number available.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.