ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Adams County rose slightly in November 2022 to 5.1%, a significant increase from 3.3% in October and 4.6% in November 2021, according to data published by the Employment Security Department.

Until October, Adams County’s unemployment rate had declined every month from April 2021, the report said, while non-farm employment countywide rose during the 20 months from April 2021 through November 2022. Total November 2022 nonfarm employment in Adams County was reported at 6,410 jobs, 120 jobs — or 1.9% — higher than non-farm employment of 6,290 in November 2021, the report said.

During the same year-over-year period, the report said the total civilian labor force in Adams County increased by 156 to 9,547 in November 2022 from 9,391 the previous year. This is 1.1% higher than the county’s pre-COVID-19 civilian labor force, the report noted.

According to the report, 90% of all Adams County manufacturing jobs are in food processing, and employment in food processing reportedly rose 1.7% in November to 1,200 jobs. Manufacturing employment in Adams County rose in each of the past 13 months prior to November 2022, the report said.