April 22, 2026 3:40 a.m.  

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was little changed at 6.3 percent in February, compared with the revised January rate of 6.4 percent.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said over the year, the county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in February of 2025.

Regional Economist Guy Tauer said the county’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment fell by 70 jobs in February after a loss of 100 in January and a loss of 70 in December.

Tauer said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in February, there were losses of 30 jobs in both manufacturing and transportation, warehousing and utilities. Private education and health services lost 20 jobs. Gains of 40 were estimated in leisure and hospitality, while mining, logging and construction went up by 30. Professional and business services and the other services category both gained 20 jobs.

OED said government rose by 60 jobs in February, mostly from gains of 40 in local education and of 20 in tribal local government.

The release said when comparing February 2026 with February 2025, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 60 jobs or 0.2 percent. There were private-sector over-the-year gains of 90 in both private education and leisure and hospitality, while construction added 50 jobs. Losses of 200 were estimated in manufacturing while retail trade and financial activities lost 60 jobs.

Tauer said government rose 90 jobs over the year in February due to gains of 80 in local education, of 20 in tribal and of 10 in federal government. State and non-education and tribal local government each lost 10 jobs.

In February, the Oregon unemployment rate was 5.2 percent while the U.S. rate was 4.4 percent.