ENID: Oklahoma’s unemployment rate decreased for the first time since August. Going from 5.1 percent in November to 5 percent in December, the state remains above the national average of 4.7 percent, according to a report released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. Of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, 64 have an unemployment rate higher than one year ago, seven counties have a lower rate and six remain unchanged.
Cimarron County, in the Panhandle, claimed the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 1.9 percent. Grant and Woods counties also had some of the lowest unemployment rates with 2.8 percent. The largest sector in the state to add jobs in December was leisure and hospitality, adding 3,500 jobs during the month. Meanwhile, education and health services reported the largest gain over the ear at 7,100 jobs. The largest loss over-the-month was mining, professional and business services and other services with a loss of 1,200 jobs. Mining, logging and manufacturing posted the largest decline over the year, totaling 13,200 jobs lost, according to the release.
Per-county unemployment rates in Northwest Oklahoma remained at 4.0 percent as the eastern area of the state had an increase in unemployment. Northwestern Oklahoma’s unemployment rate was 4 percent in December and November 2016, according to the report. In December 2015, the area had an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent. Eastern Oklahoma has the highest unemployment rates in the state with an average 5.8 percent. McIntosh County, in east-central Oklahoma, holds the highest rate in the state at 9.2 percent. Garfield County’s unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent in December. In December 2015, the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. Garfield County ranks No. 26 in the state for its unemployment rate.
