Central Oregon’s jobless rates rose a bit last month, but so did March job numbers
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continue to increase in Central Oregon, with slight increases in all three Central Oregon counties last month, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday.
Total nonfarm employment also increased over the month of March, with marginal increases in each county, the department said.
Here's the full report:
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased over the month of March and is now 6.3% — in March of last year, it was 6.0%. The unemployment rate remains 1.8 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic, when it was 4.5%.
Crook County gained 50 jobs (+0.7%) in March, with most gains occurring in the public sector (+40 jobs) and most losses occurring in construction (-20 jobs). Employment levels in Crook County are now 6.1% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020 (+410 jobs).
The county lost 380 jobs in the last year (-5.2%). Job losses were concentrated in construction (-210 jobs) and information (-90 jobs). Marginal gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+30 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+30 jobs).
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.1% in March from 4.0% in February. The unemployment rate in March 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 gained 600 jobs (+0.6%) from February to March. Most gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+220 jobs), followed by professional and business services (+130 jobs) and the public sector (+120 jobs). Total nonfarm employment is now 94,110.
Total nonfarm employment expanded by 2.5% (+2,320 jobs) from March 2023. Year-over-year job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+1,100 jobs) and private education and health services (+1,000 jobs). Other notable job gains took place in trade, transportation, and utilities (+190 jobs); other services (+160 jobs); and government (+160 jobs). Over-the-year losses occurred in information (-160 jobs) and professional and business services (-100 jobs).
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly over the month of March and is now 4.7%, up from 4.6% in February. The unemployment rate was 4.4% from October 2019 to December 2019, shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19.
Total nonfarm employment increased by 40 jobs in March (+0.6%). Private-sector job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+20 jobs). Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now -2.4% (-160 jobs) below the pre-pandemic employment level.
Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 100 over the past year (-1.5%). Job losses were concentrated in wood product manufacturing (-120 jobs); retail trade (-40 jobs); and government (-20 jobs). Gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+50 jobs); professional and business services (+10 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+10 jobs); and other services (+10 jobs).
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the April county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, May 21, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for April on Wednesday, May 15.
