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Jobless rate, jobs both increase The number of jobs in Jackson County rose last month, but so did the county's unemployment rate. There were 260 more jobs in November than in October, with the biggest increases in the gift-packing sector and retail trade, reflecting the holiday season, according to monthly payroll estimates from the Oregon Employment Department. The numbers do not include farm jobs. The unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent in November, up from October's 5.7 mark. Last year's November rate was also 6.1 percent. Regional state economist John Anderson said it's not that unusual to see job growth and unemployment headed in the same direction. The two estimates are gathered separately. The higher unemployment rate and increase in nonfarm jobs could reflect changes in the labor force. "There may be more people looking for work so then there may be more unemployment," Anderson said. The total labor force fell by 820 people from October to November, but Anderson said that loss is probably tied to the end of the harvest season. He said many of those workers may have left the area. Josephine County's unemployment rate rose to 8.6 percent in November, up from 7.8 percent in October. Last year's November rate in Josephine County was 8.5 percent. The state's raw unemployment rate for November was 5.4 percent, up from the 5 percent of October and the 5.2 of November 1997. Seasonal adjustments raise this November's rate to 5.6, down from October's adjusted figure of 5.7. The national raw unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, down from October's 4.2 percent and the 4.3 percent of November 1997. The seasonally adjusted rates were 4.4 for November of this year, 4.6 for October and 4.6 for November 1997. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA