Although the end of the tourist season in October brought declines in actual employment for both Coos and Curry counties, jobless rates adjusted to account for seasonal employment showed slight improvement over September’s figures.

The Oregon Employment Department has announced the Coos County unemployment rate fell slightly in October, from 6.7 percent in September to 6.4 percent. Curry County’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.5 percent over the same period.

Both counties saw significant improvements compared to October 2004, when the unemployment rate for Coos County was 8.4 percent, and Curry’s was 6.2 percent.

Despite the decline in unemployment figures, both Coos and Curry Counties lost jobs over the last month.

The employment department reported Coos County lost 30 jobs during the month of October. With leisure and hospitality losing 140 jobs, a monthly decline of 5 percent. Losses were also reported in manufacturing, down 60 jobs, and construction, down 50 jobs.

However, local education and educational and health services made up some of the difference, gaining 190 and 50 jobs respectively.

Curry County payroll employment lost 120 jobs for the month due to the large amount of seasonal employment. Accommodations and food services lost 100 jobs, and government lost 40.

Trade, transportation and utilities gained 20, and construction and healthcare each added 10.

Overall, Coos County’s job total in October was up 430 jobs from a year earlier, while Curry County’s total increased by 300 over 12 months.