Central Oregon unemployment rates fall in June; Deschutes, Crook counties see job gains

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased throughout Central Oregon in June, while both Crook and Deschutes counties saw total nonfarm employment increase over the month, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday.

Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased over the month of June and is now 6.1%, down from 6.3% in May — in June of last year, it was 5.4%. The unemployment rate remains 1.6 percentage points above the record low set before the pandemic when it was 4.5%.

Crook County gained 160 jobs (+2.2%) in June, with most gains occurring in the public sector (+100 jobs) and most losses occurring in private education and health services (-20 jobs). Employment levels in Crook County are now 8.8% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020 (+590 jobs).

The county lost 70 jobs in the last year (-0.9%). Job losses were concentrated in construction (-160 jobs), information (-30 jobs), and other services (-10 jobs). Marginal gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+40 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (+30 jobs).

Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.1% in May to 4.0% in June. June’s unemployment rate remains 0.6 percentage point above its record low of 3.4% before the onset of the pandemic.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Deschutes County gained 420 jobs (+0.4%) from May to June. Most gains were concentrated in accommodation and food services (+710 jobs), with minor gains in financial activities (+30 jobs) and mining, logging, and construction (+30 jobs). Total nonfarm employment is now 95,300.

Total nonfarm employment declined by 1.1% (-1,070 jobs) from June 2023 to June 2024. Over the year, job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+670 jobs). Other notable job gains took place in durable goods (+70 jobs) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+60 jobs). Over-the-year losses occurred in leisure and hospitality (-510 jobs); retail trade (-400 jobs); professional and business services (-320 jobs); government (-190 jobs); and mining, logging, and construction (-140 jobs).

Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly over the month of June and is now 4.6%. The unemployment rate was 4.4% from October 2019 to December 2019, shortly before the first impacts from COVID-19.

Total nonfarm employment decreased by 80 jobs in June (-1.2%). Private-sector job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+40 jobs), with marginal gains in other services (+10 jobs), and financial activities (+10 jobs). Total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment is now -1.8% (-120 jobs) below the pre-pandemic employment level.

Jefferson County’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 110 jobs over the past year (-1.6%). Job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (+30 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+30 jobs); professional and business services (+20 jobs); and other services (+20 jobs). Losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-130 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-40 jobs); and the public sector (-40 jobs).

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the July county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, August 20, and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for July on Wednesday, August 14.

The post Central Oregon unemployment rates fall in June; Deschutes, Crook counties see job gains appeared first on KTVZ .