May 28, 2026 3:50 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.2 percent in April compared with a revised March rate of 6.2 percent. Over the year, Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.6 percent in April 2025.

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

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment rose by 60 jobs in April.

Regional Economist Guy Tauer said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in April, there were jobs gains of 60 in retail trade, of 50 in leisure and hospitality, and of 30 each in construction, private education and health services, and professional and business services. Tauer said manufacturing employment fell by 30 jobs over the month.

OED said when comparing April 2026, with April 2025, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was down by 50 jobs, for a loss of 0.1 percent. There were private-sector over-the-year gains in private education and health services, wholesale trade, and professional and business services of 100, 90 and 50 respectively. Industries losing jobs since April 2025 included manufacturing, retail trade and other services, which lost 230, 70 and 40 jobs respectively.

Tauer said government employment was little changed over the year in April. Gains were posted of 60 in local education, 50 in Indian tribal, and 30 in local government excluding education and tribal. Federal government employment fell by 130 jobs over the year.