Central Oregon jobs picture holds steady in March
Central Oregon’s job situation was little changed in March, as hiring was fairly consistent with seasonal patterns and unemployment levels were little changed, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday.
Here’s the breakdown, from Regional Economist Damon Runberg:
Crook County: The unemployment rate rose slightly in March, to 6.5 percent from 6.3 percent in February. The rate is up slightly from this time last year when it was 6.0 percent.
Crook County added 80 jobs in March, stronger gains than typically expected this time of year.
Over the past year, Crook County added 140 jobs (+2.5%). The majority of the jobs added were in private industries, with gains concentrated in health services; information; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities. No private industry sector posted significant job losses over the past year.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in March, essentially unchanged from 4.6 percent in February. The rate was 4.2 percent last March.
Deschutes County added 260 jobs in March, stronger hiring than typically expected this time of year.
The county added 2,440 jobs in the past year (+3%). Every private industry sector added jobs over the past year. The fastest rate of job growth was in accommodation and food services (+8.8%) and manufacturing (+6.1%). Local government education posted a loss of 500 jobs over the past year. This is likely a poor estimate that will be revised in the next month or two.
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in March, up from 6.0 percent in February. The rate was 5.6 percent this time last year.
Jefferson County added 10 jobs in March, slower hiring than typically expected this time of year.
Total nonfarm employment rose by 280 jobs (+4.4%) over the past year. Manufacturing (+110 jobs) posted the largest gains over the past year. There was also strong growth in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality, each adding 50 jobs. There were no significant jobs losses over the past year.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the April county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, May 21 st and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for April on Tuesday, May 14 th .
