Island County’s unemployment rate has been going up along with the state-wide rate.

November’s figures were released last week by Washington State Employment Security. Island County’s jobless rate increased to 5.3 percent in November, up from 4.9 percent in October. A year ago, the unemployment rate here was about 3.5 percent.

Compared to the state average of 6.8 percent unemployment, Island County still looks like a worker’s paradise. The November unemployment rate in Snohomish County was 6,3 percent, Skagit 8.2, Whatcom 7.3, King 5.7, Kitsap 6,3 and Clallam 7.7. In Western Washington, only San Juan County’s 5 percent jobless rate was lower than Island County’s 5.3.

Sharon Hart, director of Island District Economic Development Council, attributed the increase in joblessness to reduced tourism after Sept. 11 as well as the Boeing layoffs, which will continue into next year. “It’s so hard to get a grip on what Boeing is doing right now,” she said.

One positive aspect of Island County’s economy is Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, which will be hiring another 60 workers due to a large contract, according to Hart. “That’s a bright spot, it’s real exciting,” she said.

Hart said state officials expect statewide unemployment to peak at 7 percent by the end of 2002.