C.O. jobless rates stay low as job growth slows
The jobs situation was largely unchanged over the past month in Central Oregon, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday. The pace of job growth continues to slow and unemployment rates are holding at or near historically low levels.
“Despite the slowing growth, Deschutes County maintains one of the fastest rates of job growth in the state,” Regional Economist Damon Runberg said.
Here’s the full report issued by Runberg:
Crook County: There was a subtle drop in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April, down to 5.8 percent from 6 percent in March. The rate is little changed from this time last year, when it was 6.1 percent.
Crook County businesses added 140 jobs this April. That’s stronger hiring than typically expected at this time of year, with construction and leisure and hospitality both posting large monthly gains.
Recent revisions revealed that the employment situation in Crook County over the past year is doing better than initially estimated. Total nonfarm employment is up by 160 jobs from this time last year (+2.8%). Job gains were spread across most major industry sectors with the largest gains in leisure and hospitality (+50); wholesale trade (+50); information (+40); and construction (+30). The growth in health care over the year largely reflected the change of counting home health care workers in private health care rather than state government.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 percent in April. Unemployment levels remained largely unchanged over the past year.
Deschutes County added 660 jobs in April, significantly fewer than typically expected this time of year. The slower than expected seasonal hiring in April is not particularly concerning, as the county posted stronger than expected seasonal job gains the past few months.
Payroll employment growth is continuing to show signs of slowing over the past year. The county added 2,590 jobs since April 2017 (+3.2%); rates of growth ranged between 4 to 5 percent last year. Construction continues to lead the way, adding over 900 jobs in the past year (+14.7%). The slower rate of job growth is not due to job losses, as every major private industry sector posted job gains over the past year. Growth in health care has been largely inflated by a change in home health care workers being counted in private health care. Until 2018, these workers were counted in state government.
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate remained largely unchanged over the past month and year at around 5.5 percent.
Jefferson County added 90 jobs this April, which was fewer than what would typically be expected this time of year.
Recent revisions revealed that payroll employment levels are growing at a slower pace than initially estimated. The employment situation is largely unchanged from this time last year with the county only adding around 20 jobs. Manufacturing (+70) and construction (+30) posted the largest employment gains over the past year. There were notable job losses in retail trade and professional and business services, each sector losing 30 jobs from last April. Growth in health care has largely been inflated by home health care workers being reported in private health care beginning in 2018. Previously these workers were counted in state government.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the May county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, June 19 th and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data on Tuesday, June 12 th .
