April 23, 2024 11:10 a.m.

Douglas County’s payroll employment increased by a seasonally adjusted 130 jobs in March after a loss of 40 in February and an increase of 120 in January.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in March, there were increases of 50 in leisure and hospitality, of 40 in private education and health services, and of 30 in both construction and manufacturing. There were small losses in retail trade, professional and business services, and other services of 10 each.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said government lost 10 jobs in March, from a loss of 30 in local education that was countered by a gain of 20 in federal government.

Rooney said when comparing March 2024 with March 2023, total nonfarm employment increased 340 jobs, or 0.9 percent. Private-sector over-the-year gains of 310 were seen in private education and health services, while construction grew by 70 and financial activities increased by 40. There were relatively large losses of 190 in professional and business services, 40 in transportation, warehousing and utilities and also in leisure and hospitality and 30 in manufacturing.

OED said government gained 170 jobs over the year from gains of 100 in local government, 40 in federal government and 30 in manufacturing.

Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 5.0 percent in March compared with a revised 4.9 percent in February. The rate is down from 5.8 percent in March 2023. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.3 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted March rate was 4.2 percent while the U.S. rate was 3.8 percent.