Mohave County unemployment rate drops again, 2 percent lower than last year

KINGMAN – Following a nationwide trend, the unemployment rate for Mohave County dropped to 5.8 percent in November, down from 6.3 percent in October and from 7.5 percent a year ago, the Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics reported Thursday.

The civilian labor force in the Lake Havasu City-Kingman Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is Mohave County, was 79,900 in November, with total employment of 75,300. That’s up from 74,700 in October. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Total nonfarm payroll employment in the MSA was 48,100, an increase of 300 jobs from the previous month, with the private sector adding 200 jobs and government adding 100 jobs.

Service-providing industries added 400 jobs, including gains in trade, transportation and utilities; and educational and health services. Professional and business services lost 100 jobs.

Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point from 5.2 percent in October to 5.0 percent in November. A year ago, it was 5.9 percent.

Over the month, Arizona gained 16,800 nonfarm jobs in November, which was less than the post-recessionary (2010-15) average gain of 28,100 jobs. The private sector gained 15,800 jobs.

Historically, the private sector averages employment gains of 26,300 jobs in November.

Five of the 11 employment sectors posted gains, with the highest gains recorded in trade, transportation and utilities (9,800 jobs); professional and business services (5,200 jobs); and leisure and hospitality (5,000 jobs).

Losses were recorded in education and health services (100 jobs); financial activities (200 jobs); and information (300 jobs).

The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased three-tenths of a percentage point from 4.9 percent in October to 4.6 percent in November.