Central Oregon jobless rates edge upward in February; Deschutes County adds jobs for month, year
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in all three Central Oregon counties, but not by very much, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday. In February, total nonfarm employment decreased in both Crook and Jefferson counties but increased in Deschutes County.
Here's the monthly report:
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased over the month of February and is now 6.1%—in February of last year, it was 6.2%. The unemployment rate remains 1.6 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic when it was 4.5%.
Crook County lost 10 jobs in
February, with most losses occurring in construction (-40 jobs) and most gains occurring in the public sector (+30 jobs). Employment levels in Crook County are now 6.0% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020 (+400 jobs).
The county lost 430 jobs in the last year (-5.9%). Job losses were concentrated in construction (-190 jobs) and information (-130 jobs). Marginal gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+30 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+20 jobs).
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in February from 3.7% in January. The unemployment rate in February remains 0.4 percentage point above its record low of 3.4% before the onset of the pandemic.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Deschutes County gained 580 jobs (+0.6%) from January to February. Most gains were concentrated in the public sector (+310 jobs), followed by mining, logging, and construction (+280 jobs) and private education and health services (+120 jobs). Total nonfarm employment is now 93,670.                                                                                                                                                             Â
Total nonfarm employment expanded by 2.8% (+2,510 jobs) from February 2023. Year-over-year job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+1,210 jobs) and private education and health services (+900 jobs). Other notable job gains took place in trade, transportation, and utilities (+190 jobs); other services (+160 jobs); and financial activities (+130 jobs). Over-the-year losses occurred in information (-170 jobs) and professional and business services (-140 jobs).
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly over the month of February and is now 4.6%, up from 4.5% in January. The unemployment rate was 4.4% from October 2019 to December 2019, shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19.
Total nonfarm employment decreased by 10 jobs in February (-0.2%). Private sector job losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-40 jobs) and information (-10 jobs), while all other industries registered little to no change over the month. Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now -2.5% (-170 jobs) below the pre-pandemic employment level.
Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 140 over the past year (-2.1%). Job losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-110 jobs); government (-40 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (-30 jobs). Gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+50 jobs) and other services (+20 jobs).
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the March county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, April 23, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for March on Wednesday, April 17.
