New figures scale back Deschutes, Jefferson job growth
Recent revisions have revealed that job growth was slower than initially estimated in both Deschutes and Jefferson counties, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday. Although still expanding, Deschutes County is adding jobs at its slowest pace in more than six years.
Meanwhile, job growth was revised upward in Crook County, and its rate of growth over the past year is now among the fastest in the state, Regional Economist Damon Runberg said in his monthly report.
Crook County: The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 6 percent in April, compared with 6.1 percent in March. The rate was 5.7 percent this time last year.
C rook County added 110 jobs in April, stronger gains than typically expected this time of year.
Total nonfarm employment is up 200 (+3.5%) from last April. The pace of hiring is faster than initially estimated, with upward revisions to wood product manufacturing, professional and business services, and information. These three industry sectors posted the fastest rates of job growth. There were no significant industry job losses over the past year.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in April, essentially unchanged from 4.5 percent in March. The rate was 4.2 percent last April.
Deschutes County added 970 jobs in April, around 50 jobs shy of seasonal expectations.
The county added 2,150 jobs over the past year (+2.6%). Recent revisions revealed that job growth was slower than initially estimated across the metro area. In fact, Deschutes County has not posted rates of growth this slow since October 2012.
Although the pace of growth is slower, the county continues to see widespread gains across most industries. The fastest rate of job growth was in leisure and hospitality (+5%), followed by construction (+4.3%), and manufacturing (+4.1%). There were notable job losses in professional and business services, which posted its first over-the-year job losses in nearly six years, with 250 fewer jobs compared with last April (-2.5%).
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate was unchanged in April at 5.8 percent. The rate was 5.2 percent this time last year.
Jefferson County added 120 jobs in April, slower hiring than typically expected this time of year.
Employment gains in Jefferson County were revised down, with total nonfarm employment up by only 100 jobs (+1.5%) over the past year. Gains continue to be concentrated in manufacturing (+100), but total job growth was tempered by losses in Indian tribal government, retail trade, and wholesale trade.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the May county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, June 25 th and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for May on Tuesday, June 18 th .
