August 20, 2025 3:40 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment decreased by 230 jobs in July after an increase of 160 in June and 90 in May.

An update from the Oregon State Employment Department said that in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in July, there were relatively large gains of 80 in private education and health services and 50 in leisure and hospitality.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said government dropped by 760 in the month of July due to a seasonal loss of 780 in local education from summer break that was countered by an increase of 20 in Indian Tribal.

Rooney said when comparing July 2025 with July 2024, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 280 jobs or 0.7 percent. A private-sector over-the-year gain of 480 was seen in private education and health services. There were relatively large losses of 160 in retail trade and of 60 in manufacturing.

OED said government dropped 20 jobs over the year in July, due to a drop of 30 in federal government that was countered by an increase of 10 in state government.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 5.9 percent in July compared with a revised 5.8 percent in June. The rate is up significantly from 5.3 percent in July 2024. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in November 2019 at 4.4 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted July rate was 5.0 percent, and the U.S. rate was 4.2 percent.