Central Oregon’s unemployment rates hold steady in February, despite fewer job gains than normal

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw very little movement from January to February, holding steady in Deschutes and Crook counties and dropping slightly in Jefferson County, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday.

Here's that full report, from Regional Economist Patrick O'Connor:

Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties): The Bend MSA’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 5.0%. Last year in February, the unemployment rate was 4.4%, or 0.6 percentage point lower.

The Bend MSA’s employment gains in February were less than normal; total nonfarm employment was up 70 during the month, when an employment increase of 360 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment was down 290 between January and February.

Seasonally adjusted total non-farm employment is now up 7.8% from the level in February 2020, or 7,930 jobs above its pre-pandemic level.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment decreased by 0.4% (-430 jobs) from February 2025 to February 2026.

The private sector overall added 30 jobs over the month. Professional and business services added 290 jobs in February. Mining, logging, and construction employment gained 100 jobs in February.

Public sector employment increased by 40 in February. Local government employment increased by 50. Federal government shed 10 jobs. State government employment was unchanged in February.

Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9% in February 2026, up 0.8 percentage point from the previous year and unchanged from January to February.

Crook County’s employment losses in February were more than normal; total nonfarm employment was down 40 during the month, when an employment increase of 20 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment was down 60 between January and February.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 9.3% from the level in February 2020, or 620 jobs above its pre-pandemic level.

Over the past year, Crook County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment has shed 90 jobs or 1.2%. Over the past year, private sector employment is up 10 jobs. The public sector has shed 100 jobs over the past year. Private sector employment overall was unchanged over the month.

Construction added 20 jobs in February. Information; leisure and hospitality; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities each shed 10 jobs in February. Public sector employment decreased by 40 in February. Local government employment decreased by 10. Federal government shed 30 jobs. State government employment was unchanged in February.

Deschutes County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8% in February 2026, matching its revised January unemployment rate of 4.8%. In February 2025, it was 4.2%.

Deschutes County’s employment gains in February were less than normal; total nonfarm employment was up 110 during the month, when an employment increase of 310 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment was down 200 between January and February.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 7.9% from the level in February 2020, or 7,000 jobs above its pre-pandemic level.

Over the past year, Deschutes County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment has shed 310 jobs, or -0.3%. Over the past year, private sector employment is up 1,340 jobs. The public sector has shed 940 jobs over the past year. Private sector employment grew 60 over the month.

Professional and business services added 270 jobs in February. Leisure and hospitality shed 170 jobs in February. Public sector employment increased by 50 in February. Local government employment increased by 20. Federal government added 30 jobs. State government employment was unchanged in February.

Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6% in February 2026, down from 5.7% in January and up 1.0 percentage point from February 2025.

Jefferson County’s employment gains in February were less than normal; total nonfarm employment was unchanged during the month, when an employment increase of 70 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment was down 70 between January and February.

Seasonally adjusted total non-farm employment is now up 1.8% from the level in February 2020, or 120 jobs above its pre-pandemic level.

Over the past year, Jefferson County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment has added 70 jobs or +1.0%. Over the past year, private sector employment is down 20 jobs. The public sector has added 90 jobs over the past year. Private sector employment declined 30 over the month.

Trade, transportation, and utilities shed 20 jobs in February. Manufacturing and leisure and hospitality employment each declined 10 jobs in February. Public sector employment increased by 30 in February. Local government employment increased by 40. Federal government shed 10 jobs. State government employment was unchanged in February.

Next Press Releases: The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the March county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, May 5 and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data on Friday, May 1.