March 7, 2023 9:50 a.m.
Southwest Oregon’s total employment will increase 9 percent by 2031.
A release from the State of Oregon Employment Department said that’s a growth of 7,100 jobs between 2021 and 2031.
Regional Economist Brian Rooney said projections for the region, which includes Douglas, Coos and Curry counties, point to modest structural job growth in the 10-year period and accounts for recovery from low employment levels in 2021 amid the recovery from the COVID-19 recession. Rooney said in addition, many job openings are expected due to the need to replace workers who leave their occupations.
The OED release said in 2021, there were 75,140 jobs in southwest Oregon. The 9 percent increase in employment between 2021 and 2031 includes private-sector gains of 6,090 jobs and 1,010 jobs in government. In comparison, Oregon statewide total employment is expected to grow 13 percent.
Rooney said all major industry sectors are expected to add jobs. The private education and health services sector will add the most, gaining 1,720 jobs over the 10-year period. That is a 16 percent level of growth. Made up mostly of health services, the growth of this sector is attributed to the aging of the population and longer life expectancies.
OED said leisure and hospitality is projected to add the second-most jobs and increase the fastest. The projected 1,490 jobs are a 20 percent growth level for leisure and hospitality and is largely driven by recovery from pandemic losses as restaurants. hotels and arts, and cultural and recreational establishments continue to see increased demand as in-person and recreational activities resume.
Trade, transportation and utilities is a large industry sector that is projected to grow by 970 jobs, or 8 percent, due to a recovery from the COVID-19 recession in retail trade, including a new Winco grocery store in Roseburg and demand for transportation services as more people shop online and need products delivered.
The release said projections show modest growth in government jobs of 7 percent. Federal government will add 120 jobs, or 6 percent, including some additional employment for fire suppression. State government is expected to add 60 jobs or 5 percent. Local government will add 830 jobs, which equates to 7 percent, helped by gains in education and health care.
More information on industry and occupational projections can be found at: https://www.qualityinfo.org/projections#1