Local Unemployment Numbers for May Illustrate Economic Recovery

The unemployment initial claim numbers for May 2021 in the Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area reveal an improvement for the local economy in comparison to May 2020 numbers.

The unemployment rate for the two county area in May 2021 was 5.3% and locally, the unemployment rate was at 12.3% in May 2020. This is a 7% drop year over year.

"Just for the labor force and unemployment rate perspective, things look a lot better this May than May 2020," said Don Meseck, regional economist. "7 percentage points drop in the rate is good economic news.".

According to Meseck, there was 184 more residents in the labor force this May than May 2020. The local trends mirror the state's numbers as well. The state labor force was declining year over year until May 2021 as well.