The Woodward News

Local News

August 30, 2012

Jobless numbers low in area

Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Western Oklahoma continues to have the lowest unemployment numbers in the state.

Statistics released on Wednesday by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission show that among the 9 counties with a jobless rate under 3 percent, 8 area in western Oklahoma or the Panhandle.

Woodward County is one of those 8 as the unemployment rate dropped from 3.1 percent in June to 2.9 percent in July. A year ago the unemployment rate in the county was 3.9 percent.

The commission shows Woodward County with a total labor force of 12,965 and only 403 unemployed.

Dewey County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, a full percentage point lower than the 3.4 percent in July 2011.

Next is Ellis County at 2.5 percent followed by Beaver and Beckham counties at 2.6 percent.

Major County is 2.8 percent and Roger Mills and Harper counties join Woodward at 2.9 percent.

The only other county in the state under 3 percent unemployment is Murray County, which borders Texas in southern Oklahoma. That county had a 2.8 percent jobless rate.

The highest unemployment rates were in eastern and southeast parts of the state topped by LeFlore County’s 10.1 percent.

Statewide Oklahoma’s unemployment rate is 4.9 percent.

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