June 24, 2026 3:50 a.m. 

Douglas County seasonally adjusted unemployment was 6.2 percent in May, unchanged from the revised April rate of 6.2 percent.

A State of Oregon Employment Department report said the Oregon rate was 5.2 percent and the U.S. rate was 4.3 percent in Many.

Over the year, Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was essentially unchanged, up slightly from 6.1 percent in May 2025.

Regional Economist Henry Fields said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment rate declined by 90 jobs in May. Fields said while payrolls nominally added 210 jobs from April to May, normal seasonal movement would typically add an estimated 300, so jobs declined on a seasonally adjusted basis.

OED said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in May, job gains were estimated at 100 in leisure and hospitality, and 80 in professional and business services. Jobs in government increased by 80 as well. All other industries were unchanged or declined slightly.

The release said when comparing May 2026 with May 2025, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was down by 90 jobs for a loss of 0.2 percent. There were private-sector over-the-year gains of 100 in education and health services, of 80 in professional and business services, and of 60 in wholesale trade. Industries losing jobs since May 2025 included manufacturing which lost 210, retail trade which shuttered 140, and mining, logging and construction which lost 80 jobs.

Fields said that total government employment was little changed over the year in May. Employment gains of 50 in Indian tribal, 30 in local education, and local government excluding education and tribal also at 30, were offset by losses of 120 in federal government and little change in state government.