Oregon jobless rate falls to 5 percent

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s unemployment rate has dipped to an even 5 percent.

The state Employment Department released the figure Tuesday, saying nonfarm payroll employment grew by 2,500 jobs in November. That helped the jobless rate fall from 5.3 percent in October.

The agency says construction has enjoyed strong job growth over the past two months, adding 2,300 jobs in October and another 1,000 in November. The retail industry, however, did not hire as many workers as expected through November of the holiday shopping season.

Another unemployment measure, known as U-6, sat at 10.1 percent in November — down from 10.4 percent in October and 11.1 percent a year ago. The figure includes discouraged workers who stopped looking, as well as part-time workers who want but can’t get full-time jobs.