Central Oregon jobless rates hold steady in July; job losses tied to seasonal factors such as summer schools break

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --Total nonfarm employment, throughout Central Oregon followed its usual seasonal pattern in July, as seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw little change over the month. Here's Wednesday's report from the Oregon Employment Department:

Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased over the month of July and is now 6.0%, down from 6.1% in June—in July of last year, it was 5.6%. The unemployment rate remains 1.6 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic when it was 4.5%.

Crook County gained 80 jobs (+1.0%) in July, with most gains occurring in leisure and hospitality (+70 jobs) and most losses occurring in the public sector (-90 jobs). Employment levels in Crook County are now 14.5% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020 (+970 jobs).

The county gained 280 jobs in the last year (+3.7%). Notable job gains were seen in government (+120 jobs); construction (+50 jobs); information (+50 jobs); and private education and health services (+40 jobs). Job losses were concentrated in other services (-30 jobs) and wholesale trade (-20 jobs).

Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from a revised rate of 4.0% in June to 4.1% in July. July’s unemployment rate remains 0.7 percentage point above its record low of 3.4% before the onset of the pandemic.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Deschutes County lost 1,590 jobs (-1.6%) from June to July. Job losses are typical this time of year due to local schools going on summer break and were concentrated in local education (-2,920 jobs). Gains were seen primarily within leisure and hospitality (+550 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (+210 jobs); professional and business service (+180 jobs); and private education and health services (+140 jobs).                                                                                                                                                            

Total nonfarm employment is now 95,280 and declined by 0.4% (-370 jobs) from July 2023 to July 2024. Over the year, job losses were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (-760 jobs) and local education (-530 jobs). Other notable job losses took place in retail trade (-390 jobs) and mining, logging, and construction (-260 jobs). Most over-the-year gains occurred in private education and health services (+1,150 jobs), with smaller gains in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+90) and durable goods (+80).

Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased marginally over the month of July and is now 4.7%. Last year the unemployment rate was 4.5% in July and 4.4% from October 2019 to December 2019, shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19.

Total nonfarm employment shed 210 jobs in July (-3.1%), with most losses occurring in local government (-230 jobs), followed by manufacturing (-30 jobs). Private-sector job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+30 jobs), with marginal gains in other services (+10 jobs), and financial activities (+10 jobs). Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now -1.0% (-70 jobs) below the pre-pandemic employment level.

Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 30 jobs over the past year (-0.4%). Job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+60 jobs); government (+50 jobs); other services (+10 jobs); and information (+10 jobs). Losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-130 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (-20 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (-10 jobs).

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the August county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, September 24, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for August on Wednesday, September 18.