May 21, 2025 3:40 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment decreased by 110 jobs in April after a gain of 100 in March and no change in February.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in April, there were relatively large gains of 50 in leisure and hospitality, 40 in retail trade and 20 in private education and health services.

Government added 20 jobs in April, from a gain in local education.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said when comparing April 2025 with April 2024, total nonfarm employment decreased by 470 jobs or 1.2 percent. Rooney said private-sector over-the-year gains of 220 were seen in private education and health services while warehousing and utilities, and the other services category each gained by 20. There were relatively large losses of 220 in retail trade, 140 in manufacturing, 150 in professional and business services, 90 in mining and logging, 70 in construction and 50 in financial activities.

OED said over the year, government added 130 jobs due to gains of 80 in local government and 50 in federal government.

Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 5.6 percent in April compared with a revised 5.7 percent in March. The rate is up from 5.2 percent in April 2024. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.4 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted April rate was 4.7 percent and the U.S. rate was 4.2 percent.