According to figures released by the Arizona Department of Commerce, Cochise County lost 75 nonfarm jobs in May. The county’s unemployment rate in May rose to 4.5 percent, up from 4 percent the month prior. Countywide unemployment in May was at its highest level since December last year, and represents the largest one-month jump in unemployment since February 2003.

Compared to May last year, the number of nonfarm jobs in Cochise County was down by 325, for a job growth rate of -0.9 percent. The decline was led by job losses in trade, transportation, and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; construction; and other services.

The county’s private sector lost 50 jobs in May. Since May last year, the county has lost 450 private sector jobs, for job growth of -1.8 percent.

Within the private sector, the number of goods producing jobs – which includes manufacturing and construction – declined by 50 in May. This reflects a loss of 25 construction jobs and an equal number of manufacturing jobs. Since May 2007, the county’s goods producing sub-sector has seen a net loss of 50 jobs, for job growth of -1.6 percent. The county’s construction industry lost 100 jobs in the 12 months ending in May, for job growth of -4.4 percent; while manufacturing gained 50 jobs, for job growth of 6.3 percent.

The county’s private service providing sub-sector stabilized at 22,225 jobs in May. Within this sub-sector, trade, transportation, and utilities gained 50 jobs and financial activities gained 25 jobs. The information industry, educational and health services, and other services each stabilized at April levels. Leisure and hospitality lost 25 jobs in May, while professional and business services lost 50 jobs.

In the 12 months ending in May, the county’s private service providing sub-sector lost 400 jobs, for job growth of -1.8 percent. Leisure and hospitality gained 100 jobs, for 12-month job growth of 2.4 percent. Educational and health services gained 75 jobs, for job growth of 1.8 percent. The information industry stabilized at 525 jobs for the 12 months ending in May.

Other services lost 75 jobs in the 12 months ending in May, for job growth of -8.1 percent. Financial activities lost 150 jobs, for a 12-month job growth rate of -13.6 percent. Professional and business services also lost 150 jobs, for 12-month job growth of -3.0 percent. Trade, transportation, and utilities lost 200 jobs, for job growth of -2.9 percent.

The government sector in Cochise County lost 25 jobs in May. This reflects the loss of 25 state and local government jobs, and a stabilization of federal government jobs. In the 12 months ending in May, the government sector gained 125 jobs for job growth of 1 percent. This includes a gain of 175 federal government jobs, for a job growth rate of 3.7 percent; and a loss of 50 state and local government jobs, for job growth of -0.7 percent.

At the national level, the unemployment rate rose from 5.0 to 5.5 percent in May, the largest single-month increase in more than 22 years. The nation’s unemployment rate in May was at its highest level since October 2004.

Arizona’s unemployment rate in May rose from 3.9 to 4.4 percent, the largest one-month increase in nearly 17 years. The state’s unemployment rate in May was the highest since January 2006.   

According to ADOC estimates, adjusted for seasonality by the Cochise College Center for Economic Research, city level unemployment rates for May were: Benson, 8.1 percent; Bisbee, 4.9 percent; Douglas, 7.0 percent; Huachuca City, 6.6 percent; Sierra Vista, 2.6 percent; Tombstone, 3.1 percent; and Willcox, 6.9 percent.

It’s important to note that the ADOC unemployment rates for cities in Cochise County are based on a model that pegs city rates to the county rate based on data from Census 2000. The model does not pick up changes at the city level since 2000 that differ substantially from county-level trends. CER focus group discussions in Benson indicate a lower unemployment rate than suggested by ADOC figures. The structure of Benson’s economy has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the opening of the Wal-Mart Supercenter and a surge in residential and commercial construction. Local business and community leaders report a shortage of labor in Benson, which has led to rising wages in the city.

If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or email the center at cer@cochise.edu. Be sure to check out the CER’s website at www.cochise.edu/cer.

 

According to figures released by the Arizona Department of Commerce, Cochise County lost 75 nonfarm jobs in May. The county’s unemployment rate in May rose to 4.5 percent, up from 4 percent the month prior. Countywide unemployment in May was at its highest level since December last year, and represents the largest one-month jump in unemployment since February 2003.

Compared to May last year, the number of nonfarm jobs in Cochise County was down by 325, for a job growth rate of -0.9 percent. The decline was led by job losses in trade, transportation, and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; construction; and other services.

The county’s private sector lost 50 jobs in May. Since May last year, the county has lost 450 private sector jobs, for job growth of -1.8 percent.

Within the private sector, the number of goods producing jobs – which includes manufacturing and construction – declined by 50 in May. This reflects a loss of 25 construction jobs and an equal number of manufacturing jobs. Since May 2007, the county’s goods producing sub-sector has seen a net loss of 50 jobs, for job growth of -1.6 percent. The county’s construction industry lost 100 jobs in the 12 months ending in May, for job growth of -4.4 percent; while manufacturing gained 50 jobs, for job growth of 6.3 percent.

The county’s private service providing sub-sector stabilized at 22,225 jobs in May. Within this sub-sector, trade, transportation, and utilities gained 50 jobs and financial activities gained 25 jobs. The information industry, educational and health services, and other services each stabilized at April levels. Leisure and hospitality lost 25 jobs in May, while professional and business services lost 50 jobs.

In the 12 months ending in May, the county’s private service providing sub-sector lost 400 jobs, for job growth of -1.8 percent. Leisure and hospitality gained 100 jobs, for 12-month job growth of 2.4 percent. Educational and health services gained 75 jobs, for job growth of 1.8 percent. The information industry stabilized at 525 jobs for the 12 months ending in May.

Other services lost 75 jobs in the 12 months ending in May, for job growth of -8.1 percent. Financial activities lost 150 jobs, for a 12-month job growth rate of -13.6 percent. Professional and business services also lost 150 jobs, for 12-month job growth of -3.0 percent. Trade, transportation, and utilities lost 200 jobs, for job growth of -2.9 percent.

The government sector in Cochise County lost 25 jobs in May. This reflects the loss of 25 state and local government jobs, and a stabilization of federal government jobs. In the 12 months ending in May, the government sector gained 125 jobs for job growth of 1 percent. This includes a gain of 175 federal government jobs, for a job growth rate of 3.7 percent; and a loss of 50 state and local government jobs, for job growth of -0.7 percent.

At the national level, the unemployment rate rose from 5.0 to 5.5 percent in May, the largest single-month increase in more than 22 years. The nation’s unemployment rate in May was at its highest level since October 2004.

Arizona’s unemployment rate in May rose from 3.9 to 4.4 percent, the largest one-month increase in nearly 17 years. The state’s unemployment rate in May was the highest since January 2006.   

According to ADOC estimates, adjusted for seasonality by the Cochise College Center for Economic Research, city level unemployment rates for May were: Benson, 8.1 percent; Bisbee, 4.9 percent; Douglas, 7.0 percent; Huachuca City, 6.6 percent; Sierra Vista, 2.6 percent; Tombstone, 3.1 percent; and Willcox, 6.9 percent.

It’s important to note that the ADOC unemployment rates for cities in Cochise County are based on a model that pegs city rates to the county rate based on data from Census 2000. The model does not pick up changes at the city level since 2000 that differ substantially from county-level trends. CER focus group discussions in Benson indicate a lower unemployment rate than suggested by ADOC figures. The structure of Benson’s economy has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the opening of the Wal-Mart Supercenter and a surge in residential and commercial construction. Local business and community leaders report a shortage of labor in Benson, which has led to rising wages in the city.

If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or email the center at cer@cochise.edu. Be sure to check out the CER’s website at www.cochise.edu/cer.

 

COCHISE  COUNTY NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT

 

    May 2008    April 2008    1-Month Change    May 2007    12-Month Change    12-Month Job    

                        Growth Rate Total   

Non-farm Jobs         37,575    37,650    -75    37,900\    -325    -0.9%

Total  Private Sector Jobs         25,250    25,300    -50    25,700    -450    -1.8%

Goods  Producing Jobs       3,025    3,075    -50    3,075    -50    -1.6%

     Construction*    2,175    2,200    -25    2,275    -100    -4.4%

     Manufacturing    850    875    -25    800    50    6.3%

Service  Providing Jobs     34,550    34,575    -25    34,825    -275    -0.8%

   Private Service Providing Jobs     22,225    22,225    0    22,625    -400    -1.8%

     Trade, Transportation, and Utilities    6,725    6,675    50    6,925    -200    -2.9%

     Information    525    525    0    525    0    0.0%

     Financial Activities    950    925    25    1,100    -150    -13.6%

    Professional  and Business Services    4,775    4,825    -50    4,925    -150    -3.0%

     Educational and Health Services    4,175    4,175    0    4,100    75    1.8%

     Leisure and Hospitality    4,225    4,250    -25    4,125    100    2.4%

     Other Services        850    850    0    925    -75    -8.1%

   Government Jobs            12,325    12,350    -25    12,200    125    1.0%

     Federal Government    4,875    4,875    0    4,700    175    3.7%

     State and Local Government    7,450    7,475    -25    7,500    -50    -0.7%

*  Includes mining

Note. Discrepancies  due to rounding

Source:  Arizona Department of Commerce and Cochise College Center for Economic  Research

 

 

 

 

UNEMPLOYMENT  RATES

    May 2008    April 2008    May 2007

United  States    5.5%    5.0%    4.5%

Arizona    4.4%    3.9%    3.6%

Cochise  County    4.5%    4.0%    3.7%

Benson    8.1%    7.1%    6.7%

Bisbee    4.9%    4.4%    4.1%

Douglas    7.0%    6.2%    5.8%

Huachuca  City    6.6%    5.7%    5.4%

Sierra  Vista    2.6%    2.4%    2.2%

Tombstone    3.1%    2.6%    2.4%

Willcox    6.9%    6.2%    5.8%

Note. Monthly figures are seasonally  adjusted. National, state, and county rates reported by the Arizona  Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor.  Sub-county monthly rates seasonally adjusted by the Cochise College Center  for Economic Research based on Arizona Department of Commerce unadjusted  figures.