Unemployment stays the same in September

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's unemployment rate in September stayed at the same rate as August, 2.9 percent, the state reported.

Oklahoma's non-seasonally adjusted employment decreased more than 5,000 persons, or 0.3 percent, to 1,609,200 persons, statistics from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission showed.

Employment increased by more than 10,000, or 0.6 percent, since September 1999.

Gains in service producing industries and government jobs helped boost employment by 0.8 percent in September, statistics showed.

Oklahoma's Total nonfarm employment in Oklahoma grew 11,200 jobs to 1,495,400 last month, the OESC reported. Some 28,500 jobs or 1.9 percent have been created since this time last year, the OESC reported.

The goods producing industries reported a small decline of 600 jobs, or 0.2 percent, while the service producing industries gained 11,800 jobs, or 1.0 percent in September.

Government posted large employment gains in September, climbing 6,800 state government jobs, or 9.1 percent over the month. Local government increased by 8,600 jobs or 5.6 percent. The employment increase in these areas is due to normal seasonal educational gains, the OESC reported. Federal government job numbers fell 3,100 jobs, or 6.4 percent, in September because of Census 2000 activities.

In Oklahoma's metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City saw gains in the service producing sector, increasing from 540,000 to 544,800, or a 0.9 percent increase, for the month, the OESC reported. The area saw a gain of 2 percent, or 534,100 in 1999, to 544,800 in 2000.

Other areas of gains were in construction (0.4 percent); transportation and public utilities (0.4 percent), and total government (4.8 percent).

Losses were recorded in the areas of mining, durable and nondurable goods and retail.

In Tulsa, nonfarm employment grew 0.4 percent to 397,500 in September, the OESC reported. Compared to September 1999, employment grew in Tulsa 0.7 percent or 2,800 jobs.

Other gains were reported in total government, up 5.6 percent or 2,300 jobs in September. Losses were reported in mining, manufacturing, trade and services.

Lawton gained 0.5 percent, or 200 jobs in total nonfarm employment, the OESC reported. For the year, it has shown an increase of 1.3 percent, or 500 jobs.

Total government increased 2.7 percent, or 300 jobs in September, while manufacturing increased 2.7 percent, or 100 jobs.

Losses were reported in trade, while construction was steady and mining showed no movement.

Total nonfarm employment in Enid increased 0.4 percent, or 100 jobs in September, OESC reported. Employment declined 1.7 percent, or 400 jobs over the year. Mining remained flat over the month, while construction, manufacturing, trade and services held steady.

Total government jobs increased 5.3 percent, or 200 jobs over the month.

Woods County reported the lowest unemployment rate, 0.9 percent.

Payne County reported 1 percent unemployment, while Cimarron and Greer counties reported 1.3 percent unemployment, 1.5 percent in Harper County, 1.6 in Alfalfa County, and 1.7 percent in Bryan and Cleveland counties.

The highest rate was in Ottawa County, 6.4 percent, followed by 6.2 percent in Choctaw County, 5.6 percent in Okmulgee County, 5.3 percent in Hughes County, 5.2 in Caddo County and 5 percent in McCurtain County.