Deschutes County at 12%, Crook County 15.1%, Jefferson County 12.4%, but Oregon’s unemployment rate is 9.3%.
According to Carolyn B. Eagan, Regional Economist, Workforce and Economic Research, Oregon Employment Department the seasonally adjusted unemployment rates inched down in Crook and Deschutes counties and held steady in Jefferson County in May. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in May, down 0.2 percentage points from April’s revised rate of 9.5 percent.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment was 15.1 percent in May, down 0.2 percentage point from April’s revised rate of 15.3 percent. This is the fifth month in a row that the rate decreased. In May 2010 the rate in Crook County was 17.2 percent.
The county added 100 jobs in May. Typically the county adds 150 jobs this time of year.
Three private-sector industries added jobs last month: wood product manufacturing (+20); leisure and hospitality (+10) and professional and business services (+10). Two industries reported monthly job losses: transportation, warehousing and utilities (-10) and other services (-10).
Federal government also added 20 jobs and local government added 40 jobs.
Crook County’s total nonfarm employment declined by 380 jobs compared to May 2010. The largest private-sector losses over the year occurred in construction (-60). Government lost 140 jobs over the last year.
Deschutes County (Bend MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched down to 12.0 percent. The rate has been in decline in Deschutes County since September 2010. In May 2010 the rate was 14.5 percent.
Deschutes County added 490 jobs in May. Typically the county adds over 1,000 jobs this time of year but it was a very cold May which slowed spring/summer seasonal hiring in some industries.
Although there were private sector gains (+270), they were reported primarily in one industry: leisure and hospitality. Professional and business services had no employment change in May. Four private-sector industries reported over-the-month losses.
The public sector added 220 jobs in May.
Between May 2010 and May 2011, Deschutes County lost 1,170 jobs. The largest annual loss was reported in professional and business services (-480) followed by mining, logging and construction (-450). This likely reflects the unseasonable cold spring this year compared to May a year ago. On the other hand, education and health services employment is up 330 jobs compared to a year ago, and employment in leisure and hospitality is up by 290 jobs over the year.
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at 12.4 percent in May. In May 2010, the jobless rate was 14.0 percent.
The county added 90 jobs in May which is fewer than is expected this time of year.
The private sector added only 10 jobs in May. Two industries reported small gains: construction (+10) and other services (+10). Those gains were offset by losses reported in wood product manufacturing (-10).
In May, Jefferson County had 280 fewer jobs than in May 2010. Private-sector industries reported 220 fewer jobs than a year ago and the public-sector reported 60 fewer jobs.
These estimates will be revised as new data from businesses becomes available. The next Central Oregon Employment Situation with preliminary data for June 2011 is scheduled to be released on Monday July 25, 2011.
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