June jobless rate rises in all major Nevada reporting areas

While the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 11.6 percent in June, the raw rate increased - not only statewide but in all major reporting areas of Nevada.

Seasonal adjustments take into account predictable events - in this case, the end of high school and university classes, sending hundreds of students out into the job market.

The raw rate bumped up from 11.6 percent to 11.9 percent from May, even though the private sector has added 14,000 jobs in the first half of this year.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said he was encouraged that despite the marginal increase in the unemployment rate, this is the 12th straight month of job growth.

In Carson City, the rate increased from 11.6 percent to 11.8 percent, with 3,300 looking for work in a labor force of roughly 28,000. That is still, however, a full percentage point lower than a year ago.

In the Las Vegas market, the rate rose from 11.8 percent to 12.1 percent.

It rose from 11.5 percent to 11.7 percent in the Reno area.

Even Elko, still flush with the mining boom, saw a small uptick in the jobless rate, from 6.1 percent to 6.3 percent.

Churchill County held steady at 9.4 percent, with 1,290 jobless in a labor force of 13,680.

Douglas County saw a two-tenths decrease in unemployment to 12.6 percent. That translates to 2,790 jobless out of 22,270.

Lyon County, which continues to have the state's highest unemployment rate, reported a one-tenth improvement to 14.8 percent, with 3,490 looking for work in a labor force of 23,610.

The tourism industry has been gaining jobs steadily, and other industries including professional and business services as well as health care, are also growing, said Bill Anderson, chief economist for the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Construction categories continue to suffer, losing an additional 3,300 jobs through the first half of this year.

DETR Director Frank Woodbeck said that despite the growth, the unemployment rate is still unacceptably high. He and the governor both said the state must continue efforts to attract diverse businesses to Nevada.