C. Oregon jobless rates up again as labor force grows
Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment levels in July were up for a second straight month, despite relatively normal hiring patterns, the state Employment Department said Tuesday.
Regional Economist Damon Runberg said “the rising unemployment rate is likely being driven by our growing labor force, which increased by nearly 1,700 individuals from June to July. Both the number of employed (+1,300) and unemployed (+386) in Central Oregon are up from last month.”
“As we move through summer, the employment situation remains little changed,” Runberg wrote. ” Despite fairly typical hiring patterns over the past several months, Central Oregon unemployment rates are on the rise.
“At this point, the rising unemployment rates are not overly concerning, as they seem to be rising due to an expanding labor force,” Runberg said.
The details;
Crook County: The unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent in July from 7 percent in June. The rate is down significantly from last year when it was 8.5 percent.
Crook County shed 50 jobs in July, which is fairly typical for this time of year. Local schools moved into summer operations and resulted in large seasonal declines. There were also some minor losses in manufacturing, down 20 jobs from June.
Employment growth over the past year was fairly consistent with statewide gains. Crook County employment was up 3 percent (+170 jobs). Large declines in manufacturing (-110) were overcome by gains in leisure and hospitality (+110). There were also strong gains in the construction sector, up 90 jobs.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate rose for a second consecutive month to 5.4 percent in July from 5.1 percent in June. The rate is down from last year when it was 6 percent. However, this is not a statistically significant decline.
Seasonally adjusted employment rebounded after several months of minor declines. The county added 510 jobs in July when we typically see little change to the employment situation. Strong private sector hiring in June more than made up for the seasonal losses of teachers and school workers who began summer break. Job gains were concentrated in leisure (+1,010 jobs) and the professional sector (+440).
Employment levels are up 5.4 percent from last July, a total of 4,140 new jobs. Job gains were nearly all due to private sector job growth with private businesses netting 4,200 new jobs over the past year. Government agencies posted a net loss of 60 jobs. Job growth was heavily concentrated in construction, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and health care. Growth was diverse, with most private sector industries adding jobs over the past year.
Jefferson County: Seasonally adjusted unemployment increased to 7 percent in July from the revised rate of 6.7 percent in June. The rate was 7.4 percent last July.
Jefferson County shed 110 jobs in July, larger than the expected loss of 30 jobs. As with the rest of Central Oregon, monthly job losses were primarily seasonal declines in education.
Employment levels are essentially unchanged from last year, up 30 jobs (+0.5%). Job growth was slightly stronger in the private sector, which is up a modest 1.8 percent. The recent slowdown is due to declines in manufacturing (-20 jobs) and local government (-60 jobs). The only notable job gains over the past year were in retail (+40) and educational and health services (+30).
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the July county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, September 20th and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data on Tuesday, September 13th.
