State job growth led nation in '05

Job growth in Nevada led the nation in 2005 as businesses in the state added 6.2 percent to total employment.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said the state's unemployment rate is more than a percent below the national average and "the envy of most states."

Terry Johnson, director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said the creation of 6.2 percent more jobs during 2005 is the highest percentage job growth in Nevada since 1999. There are now 1,177,300 working Nevadans.

Johnson said all but one of the state's major industrial sectors created new jobs during the past 12 months. The Information sector lost 500 jobs.

The largest number of new jobs was added by the construction industry which put 19,400 more people to work in 2005. Close behind was the state's Leisure and Hospitality industry, which added 17,700 more workers.

Trade, transportation and utilities added 11,800 new jobs while professional and business services increased its work force by 11,000.

For government, 3,900 jobs were created during the year.

With the economy growing strongly, Johnson said the state began 2006 with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.6 percent and the unadjusted rate was 4.1 percent. That is more than a half percent below the rate in January 2005 and means only 50,700 of Nevada's 1.23 million workers were looking for jobs.

The rate in Las Vegas was 3.9 percent - four-tenths lower than a year ago - and 4.5 percent in Washoe County - nine-tenths down from January 2005.

The rate in Carson City was 5.3 percent to start this year compared to 6.1 percent a year ago. There are now just under 27,000 workers in Carson City and 1,400 people out of work.

Elko County along the eastern border of Nevada had an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent for January - compared with 5 percent a year ago.

-- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.

By the numbers

Nevada unemployment rates for January 2006:

Reno-Sparks area: 4.5%

Carson City area: 5.3%

Elko Area: 4.5%

Las Vegas area: 3.9%

Statewide (seasonally adjusted): 3.6%

U.S. (seasonally adjusted): 4.7%

California (seasonally adjusted): 5.1%