April 26, 2023 3:40 a.m.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in March, compared with a revised 5.8 percent in February.

A release from the Oregon Employment Department said the rate is up from 4.8 percent in March 2022. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in October 2019 and again in June 2022 at 4.4 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted March rate was 4.4 percent while the U.S. rate was 3.5 percent.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said Douglas County payroll employment decreased a seasonally adjusted 60 jobs in March after a loss of 180 in February and a loss of 100 in January. Rooney said the county has gained back 78 percent of the jobs lost in March and April 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

OED said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in March, there were gains of 60 jobs in leisure and hospitality, and 20 in wholesale trade. There were large losses of 50 in professional and business services and 20 in wood product manufacturing.

Government gained 20 jobs, with federal government and local government excluding education adding jobs.

Rooney said when comparing March 2023 with March 2022, total nonfarm employment decreased by 230 jobs, or 0.6 percent. Private-sector over-the-year gains of 180 were seen in private education, with 140 in the “other services” category. There were relatively large losses of 310 in professional and business services, 120 in leisure and hospitality, 90 in retail trade, 70 in financial activities and 40 in construction.

OED said government gained 160 jobs over the year from a gain of 170 jobs in local government that was countered by a loss of 10 in state government.