April 8, 2026 3:40 a.m.  

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 percent in January compared with the revised December rate.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said over the year, the county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment increased from 5.5 percent in January 2025

Regional Economist Guy Tauer said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment rose by 100 jobs in January after a loss of 70 in December and a gain of 30 in November.

Tauer said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in January, there were losses of 140 in retail trade, 90 in leisure and hospitality, 60 in construction, and 50 in professional and business services.

OED said government rose by 50 in the month of January from a gain of 140 in local education that was countered by a loss of 70 in federal government and 20 jobs in other local government.

The release said when comparing January 2026 with January 2025, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 140 jobs or 0.4 percent. There were private sector over-the-year gains of 180 in private education and health services, and of 70 in leisure and hospitality. There were losses of 150 in retail trade and 140 in manufacturing.

Tauer said government added 150 jobs over the year in January due to gains of 120 in local education, 20 in Indian tribal and 10 in other local government.

The Oregon unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in January while the U.S. rate was 4.3 percent.