Nevada jobless rate drops to 10.8 percent in November

By Cy Ryan

Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 | 7:50 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevada’s unemployment rate dropped to 10.8 percent in November, the lowest it’s been in more than three years.

There were an estimated 147,600 jobless, down from the 156,600 in October.

Unemployment in the Las Vegas area fell to 10.4 percent, the lowest in at least three years.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said the statewide rate is the lowest since March 2009, “and private-sector employment reached the 1 million mark for the first time since March 2009.”

While good news, the governor said, “there is much work to be done. In order to continue to grow our economy we must continue to diversify, recruit new business and help retrain workers still looking for employment.”

Nevada’s 10.8 percent rate is still above the national rate of 7.7 percent, and November is the 23rd straight month the jobless rate has been in double digits.

In addition, the number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose to 21,260 in November, up from the 18,454 in October.

The jobless rate in Washoe County fell to 9.9 percent, the first time it has been in single digits in more than three years. It was down from the 10.6 percent in October.

Carson City’s rate declined from 10.7 percent in October to 10.3 percent in November.