There were no significant changes to Central Oregon’s employment situation in June. Hiring was fairly consistent with what we typically see in early summer according to Damon Runberg, regional economist for State of Oregon Employment Department.
Unemployment was largely unchanged with the exception of Deschutes County, which saw a rise in its unemployment rate due to a growing labor force.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 8.2 percent in June. The rate remains down significantly from last year, when it was 10 percent.
Crook County added 210 jobs in June, significantly more than the gain of 110 that is more typical for this time of year. Monthly gains were concentrated in tourism related industries and government.
Total nonfarm employment was unchanged from last year. Most private industries added jobs in the last year with the exception of manufacturing (-180). Over-the-year employment gains were concentrated in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality, each adding 50 jobs.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 6.2 percent in June from 5.9 percent in May. Upward pressure on the unemployment rate is likely due to gains in the local labor force from in-migration and recent graduates. The rate remains down significantly from last June when it was 7.8 percent.
June hiring was fairly typical for this time of year. The county added 1,300 jobs from May, slightly more than the expected gain of 1,240. Seasonal tourism hiring accounted for the majority of the monthly gains.
Deschutes County continued its scorching pace of job growth over the past year, up 6.2 percent (+4,310 jobs). Every published industry, both private and public sector, added jobs from last June. The largest gains were in educational and health services (+800); leisure and hospitality (+730); local government education (+510); and mining, logging and construction (+480).
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 6.7 percent in June. However the rate was down significantly from 9.0 percent last June.
Jefferson County added 130 jobs in June, which is a typical gain for this time of year.
Over the past year, Jefferson County added 410 jobs. Jefferson County’s rate of job growth (6.7%) remains one of the fastest of Oregon’s 36 counties. Gains over the past year were primarily in manufacturing; local government; and educational and health services.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the July county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, August 25 and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data on Tuesday, August 18.
