December 18, 2025 3:50 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in September compared with a revised 6.0 percent in August.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said the rate is up significantly from 5.5 percent in September 2024. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.4 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted September rate was 5.2 percent, and the U.S. rate was 4.4 percent.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said the county’s seasonally adjusted payroll unemployment rate increased by 110 jobs in September after a gain of 80 in August and a decrease of 210 in July.

Rooney said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in September, there were gains of 20 each in professional and business services, and private education and health services. There were relatively large losses of 100 in leisure and hospitality, 40 in transportation, warehousing and utilities and 30 in manufacturing.

OED said government increased by 490 in the month of September from a gain of 540 in local education from the beginning of a new school year that was countered by a loss of 50 in noneducation local government.

When comparing September 2025 with September 2024, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment decreased by 110 jobs or 0.3 percent. There were relatively large private sector over-the-year gains of 290 in private education and health services, and of 60 in professional and business services. There were relatively large losses of 210 in retail trade, of 160 in manufacturing, and of 60 in leisure and hospitality.

Rooney said government rose by 100 over the year in September due to a gain of 110 in local government that was countered by a loss of 10 in federal government.