OLYMPIA — The unemployment rate in Adams County increased in May 2020.

Numbers from April showed an increase in unemployment, 9.1 percent, and that number rose to 12.2 percent in May.

According to Donald W. Meseck, regional economist for the state Employment Security Department, Adams County’s rising unemployment rate in May was unusual since other counties around the state showed a decline.

“I think it had to do with the fact that COVID-19-related layoffs hit later,” Meseck said. “Adams County may have bottomed out with job losses in May versus April.”

Nonfarm jobs in the county also dropped from 6,020 in May 2019 to 5,450 jobs in May 2020.

The civilian labor force, whether employed or unemployed, also dropped. In May 2019, there were 10,022 people in the civilian labor force. In April 2020, that number dropped to 9,914 and to 9,438 in May 2020.

“It is an estimate of residents in Adams County ages 16-plus,” Meseck said. “This is not where they work, but their place of residence.”

Despite the losses, Adams County’s unemployment rate is lower than the state unemployment rate of 14.8 percent.

The state has also released agricultural and production employment numbers, known as covered employment, for 2019.

“This is probably one of the bright spots of the local economy,” Meseck said.

Data released in June 2020 for Adams County showed there were 8,932 agricultural jobs in 2019 compared to 6,771 in 2009. Agriculture jobs currently account for 34.0 percent of all jobs in the county.

“What this is showing is that the local agricultural industry has been growing in relative importance in the Adams County economy,” Meseck said. “Every year, the number of ag jobs has risen. That’s good news.”

The total amount of covered employment wages has also increased in the past 10 years. In 2009, the total amount of wages paid was $210.8 million. In 2019, that number was $357.7 million. The agricultural payroll, a subset of the covered employment wages, jumped from $35.8 million in 2009 to $96.5 million in 2019.

“If someone wants to ask how the ag sector is doing, it is doing very good,” Meseck said. “Ag is rising. Over one-third of all jobs in Adams County are in agriculture. That is a huge increase.”