December 26, 2024 3:10 a.m.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.0 percent in November, compared with a revised 5.0 percent in October.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said the rate is up from 4.8 percent in November 2023. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in October 2019, at 4.3 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted November rate was 4.1 percent and the U.S. rate was 4.2 percent.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment rose by 10 jobs in November after a gain of 60 in October and a gain of 280 in September.

Rooney said in the not-seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in November, there was a seasonal gain in retail trade of 60. There were additional relatively large gains of 70 in transportation, warehousing and utilities, and of 30 in private education and health services. There were seasonal losses of 70 in leisure and hospitality and 40 in construction. Additional losses of 30 came in professional and business services, and of 20 in manufacturing.

OED said government dropped 20 jobs in November, due to losses of 10 each in federal and state government.

Rooney said when comparing November 2024 with November 2023, total nonfarm employment increased 190 jobs or 0.5 percent. Private sector over the year gains of 130 were seen in manufacturing. The other services category added 50 while financial activities gained 40 and transportation, warehousing and utilities added 30. There were relatively large losses of 120 in retail trade, 90 in professional and business service and 70 in leisure and hospitality.

The release said government gained 200 jobs over the year from gains of 110 in local education, 60 in federal government, 40 in Indian tribal, and 10 in noneducation local government. These gains were countered by a loss of 20 in state government.