LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Unemployment deepened in July as Nevada’s three biggest cities — Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas — all had significant jobless rate increases.
North Las Vegas remains the city with Nevada’s worst unemployment rate — now at 7.8%. Las Vegas showed 7.4% unemployment, and Henderson was at 6.3% — a big jump from 5.8% in June.
The state’s unemployment rate climbed to 5.4%, likely reclaiming the spot as the highest in the nation. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics comparisons comparisons for June showed Nevada tied with California at 5.2%. Only Washington, D.C., was higher at 5.4%. July comparisons will not be available for another month.
Statewide, initial claims for unemployment were up 13.1% since June, climbing to 13,195.
Nevada paid out $47.7 million in unemployment claims in July — 32% more than an average month over the past year.
The Las Vegas metro area posted a 6.7% unemployment rate, up from 6.2% in June. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported 80,470 people were unemployed, and increase of 5,866 since June.