The national economy appears to be headed south, and Coos County’s unemployment picture is pointed in the same downward direction, although not with the same fervor.

Although Coos County’s unemployment rate stood at 7.1 percent in September, down from 7.5 percent in August, it still is more than one percent higher than last year at the same time. The unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in September 2007.

The hits were worse nationally, where employment took a nose dive from a 4.7 percent unemployment rate in September 2007 to 6.1 percent this past September.

In Coos County, leisure and hospitality posted the largest monthly drop, down by 90 jobs in September. Losses in manufacturing employment (30 jobs) and state government employment (also 30 jobs) contributed to the unemployment rate, according to a WorkSource Oregon Employment Department press release.

Offsetting these losses, a number of sectors added jobs. Transportation, warehousing and utilities added 20 jobs. Educational and health services jobs increased by 40. The biggest gain was a seasonal increase in local government education, up by 120 jobs.

Over the year, sectors losing jobs included construction (-40), leisure and hospitality (-70), local government education (-90) and Indian tribal local government (-40). A few sectors bucked the overall trend, including wood products manufacturing (+40) and educational and health services (+60).

In Curry County, there were 40 more payroll jobs in September than there were in August, but over the year, total payroll employees declined by 100, or -1.4 percent. The unemployment rate was estimated at 6.5 percent, also down slightly over the month, but higher than the year-before figure.

In September, gains of 130 in local government, mostly public education, and 20 in educational and health services were countered by losses of 50 in accommodations and food services and a decrease of 40 in retail trade. Over the past year, most sectors show slight declines or essentially unchanged job counts. The largest drop occurred in construction (-90). Retail trade and natural resources and mining each fell by 20 jobs. Local government employment rose by 20 over the year.

In Douglas County, the September unemployment rate was at 8.3 percent, slightly down from the August unemployment rate, which was 8.9 percent. But, keeping with the national trend, Douglas’ unemployment rate for September was a whopping 1.3 percent over last year’s September rate, which was 7.0 percent.

The only Oregon county to post a higher unemployment rate in September than Douglas County was Crook County, with an 8.5 percent unemployment rate.