All 3 Central Oregon counties see job growth in October, as unemployment rates remain stable

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon's total nonfarm employment increased year-over-year across all three Central Oregon counties, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rates remained stable in October, showing little to no change, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday.

Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased marginally over the month of October and is now 5.6%, down from 5.7% in September — in October of last year, it was 5.9%. The unemployment rate remains 1.1 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic, when it was 4.5%.

Crook County lost 70 jobs (-0.9%) in October, with most losses occurring in construction (-30 jobs); leisure and hospitality (-20 jobs); professional and business services (-20 jobs); and the public sector (-20 jobs). Gains were minimal and seen in manufacturing, financial activities, and private education and health services (+10 jobs each).

The county gained 160 jobs in the last year (+2.1%). Notable job gains were seen in leisure and hospitality (+70 jobs), other services (+40 jobs), and information (+30 jobs). Private job losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-30 jobs) and mining and logging (-20 jobs).

Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged from September to October at 4.0%. October’s unemployment rate remains 0.7 percentage point above its record low of 3.3% before the onset of the pandemic.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Deschutes County gained 170 jobs (+0.2%) from September to October and total nonfarm employment is now 98,940.

Job losses were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (-710 jobs). These losses were mostly offset by gains in the public sector (+520 jobs), with the majority occurring in local education due to typical seasonal fluctuations. Additional gains in the private sector, particularly in private education and health services (+210 jobs) and trade, transportation, and utilities (+110 jobs), also contributed to overall positive employment growth over the month.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 4.6% (+4,310 jobs) from October 2023 to October 2024. Over-the-year job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+1,400 jobs); the public sector (+1,080 jobs); and leisure and hospitality (+1,000 jobs). Other notable gains took place in trade, transportation, and utilities (+300 jobs) and professional and business services (+210 jobs). The only over-the-year losses occurred in the information industry, with a loss of 10 jobs over the year.

Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in October, holding firm at 4.7%. Last year the unemployment rate was also 4.7% in October. Shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19 were felt the unemployment rate was 4.3%.

Total nonfarm employment lost 40 jobs in October (-0.6%), with the majority of losses occurring in leisure and hospitality (-50 jobs). Similarly, over-the-month job gains were concentrated primarily within manufacturing (+20 jobs). Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now +0.1% (+10 jobs) above the pre-pandemic employment level.

Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment increased by 50 jobs over the past year (+0.7%). Job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+50 jobs); manufacturing (+40 jobs); other services (+20 jobs); and the public sector (+20 jobs). Losses were mainly seen in construction (-30 jobs), financial activities (-30 jobs), and professional and business services (-20 jobs).

Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the November county and metropolitan area unemployment rates and employment survey data on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for November on Wednesday, Dec. 18.