Central Oregon unemployment rates inched upward in September; data release was delayed by federal shutdown

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continued to move upward in September, with rates increasing in all three counties, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday in a release of data delayed by the federal government shutdown.

Here is the full report, both for the three-county Bend metro area and for each county:

Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties):

The Bend MSA seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to increase over the month of September and is now 4.9%, up from a revised rate of 4.8% in August — in September of last year, it was 0.6 percentage point lower at 4.3%.

The Bend MSA gained 730 jobs (+0.7%) from August to September, with the largest gains occurring in the public sector, specifically within local government which gained 2,060 jobs over the month, in line with seasonal norms. Private-sector job gains were concentrated within private education and health services (+80 jobs) and manufacturing (+20 jobs). Private-sector losses were more widespread with the largest losses concentrated in leisure and hospitality (1,010 jobs). Other notable losses took place in mining, logging, and construction (-180 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-80 jobs); and other services (-70 jobs). Within leisure and hospitality, the accommodation and food services subsector lost 720 jobs over the month.

Total nonfarm employment decreased by -0.1% (-80 jobs) from September 2024 to September 2025. Over the year private job losses were widespread and concentrated in leisure and hospitality (-610 jobs) with more than half of losses occurring in accommodation and food services (-420 jobs). Notable losses were also seen within information (-360 jobs), followed by trade, transportation, and utilities (270 jobs) and financial activities (-100 jobs). Smaller losses also occurred in mining, logging, and construction (-70 jobs) and professional and business services (-10 jobs).

Over the year gains were not as large and were concentrated within a few industries with the largest gains occurring in private education and health services (+630 jobs) and government (+500 jobs). Within the public sector, federal government is down 60 jobs, while state government is down 40 jobs and local government was up by 600 jobs.

Crook County:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in September and is now 5.6%, up from a revised rate of 5.4% in August—in September of last year, it was 0.4 percentage point lower at 5.2%.

Crook County lost 60 jobs (-0.8%) over the month. Losses were concentrated within leisure and hospitality (-30 jobs); construction (-30 jobs); professional and business services (-20 jobs); other services (-10 jobs); and financial activities (-10 jobs). Public-sector employment shed 10 jobs with federal government gaining 10 jobs and local government losing 20 jobs. Private-sector gains were minimal and occurred in private education and health services (+40 jobs), wood product manufacturing (+10 jobs), and retail trade (+10 jobs). All other industries saw little to no change over the month.

Over the past year, the county lost 340 jobs (-4.4%). Losses were concentrated within the information industry (-280 jobs) and mostly occurred due to a change in the way the data was reported. Otherwise, losses occurred in government (-140 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-40 jobs); and other services (-20 jobs). Over the year, job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+70 jobs) and professional and business services (+50 jobs) with smaller gains in private education and health services (+10 jobs) and manufacturing (+10 jobs).

Deschutes County:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained increased slightly over the month of September and is now 4.7%, up from 4.6% in August. In September 2024 the unemployment rate was lower at 4.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.4 percentage points above its record low of 3.3% before the onset of the pandemic.

Deschutes County gained 640 jobs (0.7%) from August to September, and employment is now 98,970. Job gains were concentrated in the public sector (+1,850 jobs) at the local level, with most occurring in local education (+1,780 jobs). Private-sector job gains were sparse and took place in private education and health services (+30 jobs) and manufacturing (+10 jobs). Private-sector losses were more widespread and strongest in leisure and hospitality (-950 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (-130 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-60 jobs); and other services (-50 jobs). Job losses also occurred in financial activities (-40 jobs), information (-10 jobs), and professional and business services (-10 jobs). The private sector had a net loss of 1,210 jobs (-1.4%) over the month.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 0.4% (+400 jobs) from September 2024 to September 2025. Over the year, job gains were concentrated in government (+730 jobs); private education and health services (+660 jobs); manufacturing (+150 jobs); other services (+90 jobs); and professional and business services (+40 jobs). Within the public sector, gains occurred at the local level (+800 jobs) while state and federal government lost jobs year-over-year (-20 and -50, respectively). Private-sector job losses were strongest in leisure and hospitality (-740 jobs) and trade, transportation, and utilities (230 jobs), with smaller but notable losses occurring in mining, logging, and construction (-120 jobs); financial activities (-100 jobs); and information (-80 jobs). Within trade, transportation, and utilities the largest losses occurred in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-250 jobs), while wholesale trade shed another 60 jobs and retail trade gained 80 jobs.

Jefferson County:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in September, going from 5.4% in August to 5.6% in September. Last year the unemployment rate was 1 percentage point lower at 4.6% in September. Shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19 were felt the rate was 4.3%.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 160 jobs (+2.5%) over the month of September. Gains were concentrated in government, specifically in local government (+220 jobs), with minor gains also seen in manufacturing (+10 jobs) and private education and health services (+10 jobs). Losses were also marginal and concentrated in leisure and hospitality (-40 jobs). Smaller losses were also recorded in construction; other services; professional and business services; and trade, transportation, and utilities—all of which lost 10 jobs in September. Very little movement was seen otherwise with little to no change in all other industries.

Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 110 jobs over the past year (-1.6%). Private-sector gains were concentrated in other services (+40 jobs), construction (+10 jobs), and financial activities (+10 jobs). Private-sector losses outnumbered gains for a net loss of 70 jobs and were recorded in manufacturing (-80 jobs); leisure and hospitality (-30 jobs); professional and business services (-10 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (-10 jobs). Government also shed 40 jobs over the year.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October and November on Wednesday, Jan. 7 and county and metropolitan area unemployment rates and employment survey data on Tuesday, Jan.13. The October employment survey jobs data will be released along with November’s data, but there won’t be October labor force or unemployment data published.