Central Oregon jobless rates still on decline to close out 2019
Hiring strong as well, though stats could change in year-end revision
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Although the stats are undergoing revisions, Central Oregon's employment picture ended 2019 with strong hiring and a continued drop in jobless rates, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday.
Here's the full report from Regional Economist Damon Runberg:
Central Oregon completed 2019 with continued strong hiring after a sluggish start to the year. These estimates are in the process of being revised, using payroll tax records. A more exhaustive look back at the 2019 employment trends will be produced after the revisions become public.
Crook County: The unemployment rate dipped to 5.2 percent in December from 5.4 percent in November. The rate was 6.1 percent this time last year.
Crook County lost 20 jobs in December, fewer losses than typically expected for this time of year.
The county added 120 jobs over the past year, a growth rate of 2.0 percent. Job growth over the past year was concentrated in transportation, information, and leisure and hospitality. Losses were largely limited to manufacturing, which shed 40 jobs from last December.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in December, down from 3.9 percent in November. The rate remains largely unchanged from this time last year, when it was 4.3 percent.
Deschutes County added 260 jobs in December. Typically, the county sees minor job losses in December.
The county finished 2019 on a strong note, adding 3,410 nonfarm jobs since December 2018 (+4.0%). Job growth was well distributed across most major industry sectors. The largest job gains were in leisure and hospitality, health services, retail trade, and construction. There were no significant job losses over the past year; however, there were minor losses in professional and business services and durable goods manufacturing.
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in December, down from 5.0 percent in November. The rate is down from 5.7 percent this time last year.
Jefferson County lost 90 jobs in December, a fairly typical pattern this time of year.
Employment levels are up 1.1 percent from this time last year, a gain of 70 jobs. The strongest growth sectors included manufacturing (+40 jobs) and government (+100 jobs). The only notable job losses were in professional and businesses services, which posted a loss of 70 jobs from this time last year, and health services (-30 jobs).
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the January county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, March 10th and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for January on Tuesday, March 3rd.
