The unemployment rate dropped from 9.7 percent to 9.5 percent in Clallam County last month, while it stayed steady in Jefferson County at 9.1 percent.
While the jobless rate dropped in Clallam County in September, the number of non-farm jobs remained steady at 22,350.
Elizabeth Scott, a regional economist with the state Employment Security Department, said the lower unemployment rate could be due to residents finding jobs outside the county.
Jefferson County had 8,370 non-farm jobs last month, a decrease of 140 over August.
The loss of jobs was concentrated in the service-providing industries, possibly because of the end of the tourist season, Scott said.
Scott said the county’s stable unemployment rate may also be due to some residents finding jobs elsewhere and commuting.
Clallam County has seen a loss of 300 jobs over the past year, while Jefferson County gained 110.
The number of new unemployment claims was down in both counties last month, from 176 to 120 in Jefferson County and from 498 to 432 in Clallam County.
Scott said the figures show that the economy is recovering, though slowly.
“We still have not regained all the jobs that we lost during the two-year period from 2007 to 2009,” she said.
“The level of job growth has not rebounded as fast as in previous recessions.
“It is rebounding, but at a very slow pace.”
Last month, the statewide and nationwide unemployment rates were both at 9.1 percent.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.