The county’s unemployment rate of 6.9 percent ticked upward from 6.7 percent in February, according to data released Tuesday by the Washington Employment Security Department. That compares to a 6 percent rate from a year ago.

Various job sectors in the county mirrored the overall stagnation as no industry saw gains or losses of greater than 1 percent when compared to February.

“I think March is one of those months that is often like that,” said Scott Bailey, a regional economist for the employment department.

Seasonal gains in the winter have been shed by March and the ramp-up for summer jobs has not kicked in yet, according to Bailey.

“It’s a tweener,” he said.

It’s also a glass half-full or half-empty, depending on your situation or where you are in the country. Washington’s unemployment rate in March was 4.9 percent and in Oregon it was 5.7 percent.

That puts the states and county in a better position than other regions in the country, Bailey said. The U.S. jobless rate is 5.2 percent.

He said the area is being helped by a strong export market, a housing sector that has stayed stronger compared to other metropolises and a weak dollar that is letting companies retain manufacturing jobs.

Bailey doesn’t expect to see an immediate change as the county continues to deal with tumult in the world’s financial market, a condition that has weakened consumer confidence and been a drag on economic growth.

JONATHAN NELSON can be reached at 360-735-4543 or via e-mail at jonathan.nelson@columbian.com.