Alaska’s unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percent in October but the seasonally adjusted rate stayed the same.
Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October was 6.8 percent, the same as September’s rate which was decreased one-tenth of a percent from August. The comparable national rate was 4.9 percent.
The unadjusted rate in Alaska for October was 6.3 percent, one-tenth lower than September. The unadjusted unemployment rates rarely decrease between September and October, given typical seasonality, but changes that small aren’t necessarily significant.
Throughout Alaska, unemployment rates stayed flat or fell in 10 boroughs and census areas in October.
Larger and more urban areas like Anchorage and the Fairbanks North Star Borough saw flat or falling rates, while rates rose in 19 smaller and more seasonal boroughs and census areas.
Rate increases were considerably large in Skagway and the Denali Borough after the tourism season ended.
Preliminary estimates show payroll employment was down 2.7 percent in October compared to the same month in 2015.
Nearly all major sectors were flat or down in October as the effects of oil industry and state government cuts rippled through the economy.