Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates fell between February and March for all three Central Oregon counties. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March (8.6 percent) and the nation’s (8.2 percent) also dropped slightly from the previous month.
Crook County: In March, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Crook County was 13.5 percent. Although still the highest in the state, this is the lowest that the rate has been since November 2008. Crook County’s jobless rate declined by 1.6 percentage points from the March 2011 rate.
The county added 80 jobs in March, a month when a gain of 70 jobs is the seasonal norm. The private sector gained 50 jobs over the month, while government added 30 jobs. The largest private-sector increase occurred in manufacturing (20 jobs), which was driven by job growth in wood product manufacturing. Public-sector gains were concentrated in federal government (40). Local government shed 10 jobs in March.
Between March 2011 and March 2012, total nonfarm payrolls grew by 140 jobs (2.7 percent) in Crook County. Government added 170 jobs over the year; most of those gains (140 jobs) occurred in local government. Private-sector employment dropped by 30 jobs over the year. Sectors with the largest losses included trade, transportation, and utilities (-80 jobs) and manufacturing (-50). Job gains were the largest in leisure and hospitality (70) and professional and business services (60).
Deschutes County (Bend MSA): Deschutes County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.9 percent in March. The rate fell by 0.3 percentage point from the February revised rate of 11.2 percent, and dropped by 1.6 percentage points from the March 2011 rate. The number of unemployed persons in Deschutes County declined by 1,250 between March 2011 and March 2012.
Deschutes County added 570 jobs from February to March. The county typically adds 650 jobs in March. The private sector added 540 jobs, while government employment rose by 30 jobs.
The private-sector industries with large over-the-month job gains include leisure and hospitality (200); trade, transportation, and utilities (120); educational and health services (70); and professional and business services (60). Public-sector job growth was concentrated in federal government, which added 20 jobs.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 880 jobs in Deschutes County from March 2011 to March 2012. The private sector has experienced the bulk of the gains, adding 800 jobs over the year. Trade, transportation, and utilities saw an increase of 400 jobs (3.5 percent), mostly due to gains in retail trade (330). Leisure and hospitality grew by 390 jobs (4.5 percent).
Two private-sector industries posted employment losses over the year: professional and business services (-150), and financial activities (-130). Durable goods declined by 10 jobs over the year, but overall manufacturing employment increased by 80 jobs. State government lost 20 jobs over the year.
Jefferson County: In March, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Jefferson County was 12.4 percent. The county’s jobless rate fell slightly from the revised rate of 12.6 percent in February, and dropped by 0.7 percentage point between March 2011 and March 2012.
The county added 20 jobs between February and March. This matches seasonal expectations for job growth over the month. All gains occurred in the private sector. Educational and health services added 20 jobs in March; professional and business services added another 10. Manufacturing lost 10 jobs over the month.
Government employment was flat over the month. A gain of 10 jobs in state government was offset by a loss of 10 in local government.
Total nonfarm employment in Jefferson County rose by 90 jobs (1.7 percent) between March 2011 and March 2012. The private-sector lost 80 jobs (-2.7 percent). Gains in government were driven by increases in Indian tribal employment (250 jobs).
These estimates will be revised as new data from businesses becomes available. The next Central Oregon Employment Situation with preliminary data for April 2012 is scheduled to be released on Monday, May 21, 2012.
