Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continued their climb in all three Central Oregon counties in July. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in July, essentially unchanged from June’s revised rate of 9.4 percent.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 15.6 percent in July, up 0.2 percentage point from June’s revised rate of 15.4 percent. This is the second month in a row that the rate has increased after five months of decline. However, the situation is better now than it was a year ago. In July 2010 the rate in Crook County was 17.7 percent.
The county lost 40 jobs in July. Typically the county loses about 70 jobs this time of year mostly due to the end of the school year.
Two private-sector industries added jobs in July: mining and logging (+20) and retail trade (+20). Two other industries lost jobs: education and health services (-20) and wholesale trade (-10). All other private sector industries reported no change in employment between June and July.
Government lost 50 jobs overall. The largest employment loss was local government, where public school employment is reported, which lost 80 jobs between June and July.
Crook County’s total nonfarm employment declined by 240 jobs compared to July 2010. The largest private-sector losses over the year occurred in wholesale trade (-80). Government added 50 jobs over the last year.
Deschutes County (Bend MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point to 12.6 percent in July. This is the second month in a row that the rate increased in Deschutes County after nine months of decline. However, the situation is better this year than it was one year ago. In July 2010 the rate was 14.6 percent.
Deschutes County added 850 jobs in July. After three straight months of seasonally adjusted job loss, the county posted job gains in a month that typically sees a loss.
There were jobs gains all private-sector industries. The private-sector added 1,860 jobs between June and July.
The large private-sector employment gains were off-set by public sector losses. The public sector lost over 1,000 jobs between June and July.
There were 30 fewer job reported in July 2011 than were reported in July 2010. The largest loss was in mining, logging and construction. The public sector lost 260 jobs.
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 13.4 percent in July. The rate was 0.4 percentage point higher in July than it was in June. However, the employment situation is better in Jefferson County this year that it was one year ago. In July 2010, the county’s unemployment rate was 14.4 percent.
The county lost 70 jobs in July which is expected this time of year.
The private sector added 30 jobs last month. Four industries reported over-the-month gains. The public sector lost 100 jobs.
In July 2011, the county had 210 fewer jobs than in July 2010. Leisure and hospitality reported the largest over-the-year job loss.
These estimates will be revised as new data from businesses becomes available. The next Central Oregon Employment Situation with preliminary data for August 2011 is scheduled to be released on Monday September 19, 2011.
