Central Oregon jobless rates hold steady in April; job numbers rise slightly

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw very little change in Central Oregon during the month of April, while total nonfarm employment continued to increase, with marginal increases seen in all three counties, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday.

Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased over the month of April and is now 6.3%—in April of last year, it was 5.2%. The unemployment rate remains 1.8 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic when it was 4.5%

Crook County gained 100 jobs (+1.4%) in April, with most gains occurring in leisure and hospitality (+70 jobs) and most losses occurring in private education and health services (-20 jobs). Employment levels in Crook County are now 8.1% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020 (+540 jobs).

The county lost 320 jobs in the last year (-4.3%). Job losses were concentrated in construction (-210 jobs) and information (-70 jobs). Marginal gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+20 jobs), professional and business services (+10 jobs), and financial activities (+10 jobs).

Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.1% in April from a revised rate of 4.0% in March. The unemployment rate in April 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 640 jobs (+0.7%) from March to April. Most gains were concentrated in accommodation and food services (+210 jobs), followed by private education and health services (+140 jobs) and mining, logging, and construction (+140 jobs). Total nonfarm employment is now 93,700.   

Total nonfarm employment expanded by 0.3% (+290 jobs) from March to April 2023. Year-over-year job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+810 jobs) and mining, logging, and construction (+140 jobs). Other notable job gains took place in financial activities (+40 jobs) and other services (+30 jobs). Over-the-year losses occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (-280 jobs); professional and business services (-230 jobs); and information (-110 jobs).

Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly over the month of April and is now 4.7%, down from a revised 4.8% in March. 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 120 jobs in April (+1.8%). Private-sector job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+40 jobs), and public-sector job gains were concentrated in local government (+30 jobs). Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now -0.4% (-30 jobs) below the pre-pandemic employment level.

Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment increased by 30 over the past year (+0.4%). Job gains were concentrated in the public sector (+60 jobs); private education and health services (+30 jobs); other services (+30 jobs); and professional and business services (+20 jobs). Losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-120 jobs).

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the May county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, June 25, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for May on Thursday, June 20.