October 25, 2023 10:20 a.m.
Douglas County payroll employment increased a seasonally adjusted 160 jobs in September after increases of 160 jobs in August and 30 in July.
A release from the State of Oregon Employment Department said the county has gained back 90 percent of the jobs lost in March and April 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
Regional Economist Brian Rooney said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in September, there were gains of 40 jobs in education and health services, and of 30 each in manufacturing, and in the transportation, warehousing and utilities category. There were seasonal losses of 100 in leisure and hospitality, and of 30 in construction. There were additional losses of 30 in retail trade and of 20 in financial activities.
OED said government gained 360 jobs in September from gains of 430 in local education at the start of the new school year, and of 10 in federal government. These gains were countered by losses of 40 in local government, 30 in Indian tribal and 10 in state government.
The release said when comparing September 2023 with September 2022, total nonfarm employment increased by 150 jobs or 0.4 percent. Private sector over-the-year gains were seen of 270 in private education and health services, of 170 in leisure and hospitality, and of 150 in the other services category. There were relatively large losses of 240 in retail trade, of 110 in manufacturing and of 50 in professional and business services.
Rooney said government gained 60 jobs over the year from gains of 70 in local government and 20 in federal government, that were countered by losses of 30 in state government.
Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent in September compared with a revised 4.5 percent in August. The rate is down from 5.8 percent in September 2022. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.3 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted September rate was 3.5 percent while the U.S. rate was 3.8 percent.