Carson City bests Reno and Vegas in July job growth, unemployment rate

While all three metro areas in Nevada continued to see job gains in July, Carson City was among the best, having an increase of 800 jobs, or 2.8 percent growth since June, with the manufacturing sector climbing the most by 100 jobs or 3.8 percent, according to figures released Wednesday by the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Carson City, like Reno and Las Vegas metro areas, continues to climb back with employment since the statewide COVID-19 shutdown in mid-March and the gradual re-opening of non-essential Nevada businesses.

According to the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s July 2020 economic report, statewide jobs decreased by 9.8 percent, a loss of 138,700 jobs since July 2019 for an employment level of 1,281,100.

Nevada’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 14 percent in July, 15.2 percent in June, and 3.9 percent in July 2019. Area total estimates are seasonally adjusted to account for regularly seen economic trends, but estimates discussing sector employment and sub-state unemployment rates are not adjusted for seasonality.

Compared to July 2019, total employment in Carson City saw a decrease of 1,600 jobs (-5.2 percent) with trade, transportation, and utilities sector down the most by 500 jobs (-11.6 percent).

In the latest report, Reno MSA had an increase by 1,500 jobs (0.7 percent) since June with the professional and business services sector growing the most by 400 jobs (1.4 percent). Compared to July 2019, total employment saw a decrease of 16,400 jobs (-6.6 percent) with leisure and hospitality sector down the most by 5,800 jobs (-14.5 percent).

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) increased by 12,000 jobs, or 1.3 percent, since June with the trade, transportation, and utilities sector growing the most by 3,900 jobs (2.4 percent).

Compared to July 2019, total employment saw a decrease of 132,100 jobs (-12.8 percent) with leisure and hospitality sector down the most by 74,100 jobs (-25.0 percent).

As for unemployment for the month, the Carson City metro area has an unemployment rate of 8 percent in July resulting from having a labor force of 25,300 and 2,035 unemployed individuals. In the Reno metro area, the unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in July resulting from having a labor force of 244,774 and 19,759 unemployed individuals.

The Las Vegas metro area had an unemployment rate of 16.4 percent in July resulting from having a labor force of 1,102,994 and 181,335 unemployed individuals.

“Nevada has added jobs for the third straight month in July, though at a slower pace than in previous months. A trend that is reflected in the three MSAs. July’s data reflects a period of slower growth following the significant reopening that took place in May and June," said David Schmidt, Chief Economist for DETR.

"The challenges posed by the pandemic continue to weigh on the labor market, and the response to COVID-19 by businesses and the public continues to evolve. As the public health situation continues to develop, we will see corresponding impacts in employment and unemployment in the months ahead,” said Schmidt.

Additional Economic Report Highlights:

Employment (Seasonally Adjusted):
— Carson City employment changed 800 jobs since June and -1,600 jobs since July 2019 a rate of -5.2 percent.
— Reno employment changed 1,500 jobs since June and -16,400 jobs since July 2019 a rate of -6.6 percent.
— Las Vegas employment changed 12,000 jobs since June and -132,100 jobs since July 2019 a rate of -12.8 percent.

Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted):
— Carson City MSA’s unemployment was 8 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 8.8 percent and 3.8 percent in July 2019.
— Reno MSA’s unemployment was 8.1 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 8.7 percent and 3.2 percent in July 2019.
— Las Vegas MSA’s unemployment was 16.4 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 17.8 percent and 4.3 percent in July 2019.

Elsewhere in Nevada:
— The unemployment rate in Lyon County was 8.2 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 8.5 percent and 4.7 percent in July 2019.

— Douglas County’s unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 9.1 percent and 3.7 percent in July 2019.

— Fallon area’s unemployment was 5.6 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 5.7 percent and 3.6 percent in July 2019.

— The unemployment rate in the Elko Micropolitan area was 5 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 5.3 percent and 3.1 percent in July 2019.

— The unemployment rate in Nye County was 9.7 percent in July compared to June’s rate of 9.5 percent and 5.3 percent in July 2019.

— The unemployment rate in the Winnemucca area in July remained unchanged at 5.1 percent but higher than 3.5 percent experienced in July 2019.