July 23, 2025 3:40 a.m.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment increased by 40 jobs in June after an increase of 60 in May and a loss of 160 in April.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in June, there were relatively large gains of 110 in leisure and hospitality, of 30 in professional and business services, and of 20 each in construction, retail trade and the “other services” category. There was a relatively large loss of 90 in private education and health services.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said government held steady in the month of June.

Rooney said when comparing June 2025 with June 2024, total nonfarm employment decreased by 240 jobs, or 0.6 percent. Private sector over-the-year gains were seen in private education and health services and other services, of 290 and 30 respectively. There were relatively large losses of 160 in manufacturing, of 150 each in retail trade and leisure and hospitality, and of 60 in professional and business services.

OED said government added 160 jobs over the year in June due to gains of 140 in local education and of 20 in federal government.

Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 5.9 percent in June compared with a revised 5.7 percent in May. The rate is up significantly from 5.3 percent in June 2024. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.4 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted June rate was 4.9 percent, and the U.S. rate was 4.1 percent.