C.O. jobs report: Slower growth, still tight job market
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Revised 2019 Central Oregon employment data shows the region's job growth was notably slower than first estimated, but unemployment rates remain low, a state Employment Department economist said Tuesday.
In addition to the release of January employment and unemployment estimates, the revised 2019 employment estimates are now available, Regional Economist Damon Runberg said.
"These revisions revealed notably slower rates of job growth in 2019 for most of the High Desert," Runberg said in his monthly report.
"Despite slowing rates of growth, the employment outcomes for Central Oregonians remain very positive, as unemployment remains at historically low levels." he added.
Crook County: The unemployment rate was little changed from the previous month at 5.1 percent in January. However, there was a notable drop from 6.1 percent in January 2019.
Crook County lost 100 jobs in January, fewer losses than typically expected for this time of year.
Employment estimates for 2019 were largely unchanged after recent revisions, with the county adding around 120 jobs over the past year (+2.1%).
Job gains were fueled by leisure and hospitality (+70 jobs), as well as strong growth from the information sector; transportation, warehousing, and utilities; and professional and business services. Industry job losses were largely isolated to manufacturing and construction.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in January, little changed from December. Levels of unemployment dropped modestly from last January, when the rate was 4.4 percent.
Deschutes County lost 1,030 jobs in January. Although this sounds like a large number of job losses, it represents a smaller number of losses than is typically expected, based on seasonal patterns.
Recent revisions lowered total nonfarm employment totals for 2019, revealing slower growth than initially estimated.
The county added 1,970 jobs from last January (+2.3%). Although the county continues to see job gains, current rates of growth are notably slower than rates of growth initially estimated toward the end of 2019 (+4.0%).
Most major industry sectors continue to add jobs, with the largest gains in health care, accommodation and food services, financial activities, and construction. There were minor losses in retail trade and professional and business services with sharper losses in the information sector.
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in January, down from 4.8 percent in December. The rate is down from 5.6 percent this time last year, a statistically significant improvement.
Jefferson County lost 40 jobs in January, fewer losses than typically expected this time of year.
Employment levels were revised down slightly with employment levels now largely unchanged over the past year (-50 jobs). Manufacturing continues to hire (+40 jobs), but those gains were largely balanced by losses in professional and business services (-50 jobs).
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the February county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, March 31st and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for February on Tuesday, March 17th.
