The economy continued to improve across the high desert in February according to Damon M. Runberg, Central Oregon Regional Economist, Workforce and Economic Research Oregon Employment Department. Seasonally adjusted unemployment showed significant improvement in the last month as our warm winter fostered a stronger job market. Deschutes County’s unemployment rate of 6.5 percent is nearing the long-term historic average of 6.4 percent from 2000 to 2008.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 9.5 percent in February, the county’s lowest rate since June 2008.Unemployment levels are down significantly from last February when the rate was 10.8 percent.
Crook County shed 30 jobs in February, which are typical seasonal declines for this time of year.
Employment levels are up slightly from last year with the county adding 50 jobs (+0.9 percent) from February 2014. Crook County’s economy overcame the layoffs in wood product manufacturing (-120) with steady job growth in a variety of private-sector industries, including retail trade; professional and business services; and educational and health services.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA):Unemployment levels improved significantly in February with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropping to 6.5 percent, down from 7.1 percent in January. The unemployment rate is nearing the historical average from 2000 to 2008 (6.4 percent).
Total nonfarm employment expanded by 150 jobs in February; the county typically sees no employment change this time of year. The 70,050 nonfarm payroll jobs in February represented the highest February employment total recorded in Deschutes County.
The county’s fast pace of job growth continued into February as employment levels expanded by 7.1 percent over the past year (+4,670 jobs). Private-sector hiring accounted for 90 percent of job growth with most these gains concentrated in retail trade (+950); educational and health services (+800); and mining, logging, and construction (+770).
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent in February, down from 8.7 percent in January. The rate was 9.6 percent this time last year, a statistically significant decline.
Jefferson County added 30 jobs in February,fairly close to the gain of 10 jobs typically expected this time of year.
Job growth over the past year was strong (+4 percent), particularly for a rural community. The county added 230 jobs from February 2014. Local government posted the largest gains (+140 jobs), while manufacturing continues to headline private-sector job growth (+50).
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the March county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, April21st and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data on Tuesday, April14th.
