Good news: C.O. job growth was stronger than thought
Revised data provides sunnier picture of recent months
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Recent revisions from payroll records through June revealed that employment growth was significantly stronger than initially estimated, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday.
"The region continues to add jobs at a strong pace, and earlier reports that Central Oregon’s job growth had stalled are now no longer valid." Regional Economist Damon Runberg reported.
Here's Runberg's full report:
Crook County: The unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in October, essentially unchanged from 5.6 percent in September. The rate was 6.0 percent this time last year, not a statistically significant difference.
Crook County shed 90 jobs in October, typical losses for this time of year.
Recent revisions from payroll tax records revealed that employment growth was stronger than initially estimated through the summer months. Employment levels are up 2.6 percent from this time last year (+160 jobs). Growth is largely concentrated in wholesale trade, transportation, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality. There were small losses in retail trade and private education and health services.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in October and 4.2 percent in September. The rate remains largely unchanged for over three years.
Deschutes County added 100 jobs in October. Hiring was up noticeably on a seasonally adjusted basis in October, as the county typically posts job losses this time of year.
Recent revisions were significant in Deschutes County. Previous estimates were based on payroll records through March 2019, a month with notably low employment due to the significant snow event.
These recent revisions use payroll records through June, which show that dip in March was short-lived and disappeared after the snow melted.
Employment levels are now up around 4.5 percent from this time last year, a gain of around 4,000 jobs. Before these revisions rates of growth were being reported at closer to 1.5 percent.
Industry growth remains widespread, with the largest gains in leisure and hospitality, health services, education, and professional and business services. The only notable losses over the past year were in durable goods manufacturing.
Jefferson County: The unemployment rate was stable in October at 5.3 percent. The rate was largely unchanged from this time last year when it was 5.5 percent.
Jefferson County lost 50 jobs in October, a fairly typical pattern this time of year.
Similar to the other counties in the region, the employment estimates were revised upward. Employment levels are up 1.2 percent from this time last year, a gain of 80 jobs. Most industries added jobs over the past year with manufacturing (+50 jobs) and government (+60) posting the largest gains. There was a notable loss of 100 jobs in professional and business services.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the November county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, December 24th and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for November on Tuesday, December 17th.
