In Deschutes County over-the-year job growth held steady at around 5.8 percent, a gain of 4,090 new jobs from last August. Central Oregon ended the summer season with mixed results. “The employment picture continues to look up with strong job growth from a variety of industries,” noted Damon Runberg, Regional Economist, Serving the East Cascades of Oregon, Oregon Employment Department. “However, improvements to the unemployment rate stalled this summer with no significant improvement since early spring.
“It looks like the rate of job growth is slowing across the region. Much of this slowdown is likely due to a tightening labor force, which is making it difficult for local employers to fill their vacancies.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 8.7 percent from 8.6 percent in July. The rate was down a full percentage point from last year when it was 9.7 percent.
Crook County added 70 jobs in August; fairly typical hiring for this time of year. Monthly gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality and local government.
Employment levels were down slightly from this time last year (-40 jobs). The vast majority of these losses are concentrated in the wood product sector, which shed 190 jobs from last August. The remainder of Crook County’s private sector experienced robust job growth highlighted by strong gains in retail, tourism, and construction.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 6.5percent in August, down from 6.6 percent in July. The rate remains down significantly from this time last year when it was 7.7 percent.
Deschutes County posted very strong job growth in August. The county added 450 jobs; typically there is very little change in Deschutes County’s employment situation in August. These monthly gains were primarily due to hiring in tourism and construction, which is uncommon this late into the summer season.
Over-the-year job growth held steady at around 5.8 percent, a gain of 4,090 new jobs from last August. Professional and business services was the only private sector industry to post job losses from last year (-180 jobs). Construction continues to be the county’s fastest growing industry. Hiring was also strong in tourism, healthcare and transportation.
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.5 percent from 7.2 percent in July. However, the rate was down significantly from8.9 percent last August.
Jefferson County shed 130 jobs in August, a larger loss than the 100 jobs typically lost from July.
Jefferson County’s employment growth is beginning to slow down. Employment expanded by 4.6 percent from this time last year compared to 7 percent growth back in June. Manufacturing continued to account for the largest share of job gains (+90).However, construction and local government also posted significant growth from last year.
Damon Runberg
Regional Economist
Serving the East Cascades of Oregon
Oregon Employment Department
Phone: (541) 706-0779
Email: damon.m.runberg@oregon.gov
Web: www.qualityinfo.org
