January 28, 2026 3:40 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 percent in December, compared to the revised November rate.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said over the year, Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is up from 5.4 percent in December 2024. The Oregon rate was 5.2 percent while the U.S. rate was 4.4 percent.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment decreased by 70 jobs in December after a gain of 30 in November and a loss of 200 in October.

Rooney said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in December, there were gains of 40 in private education and health services and 30 in retail trade. There were losses of 30 in professional and business services and 20 in construction.

OED said government decreased by 150 in the month of December from losses of 160 in local education and of 10 in federal government that were countered by a gain of 20 in local government.

Rooney said when comparing December 2025 with December 2024, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 40 jobs or 0.1 percent. There were relatively large private-sector over-the-year gains of 190 in private education and health services, and of 100 in professional and business services. There were relatively large losses of 150 in manufacturing and of 140 in retail trade.

The release said government rose by 30 jobs over the year in December due to gains of 20 in Indian tribal, and of 20 in local government that were countered by a loss of 10 in federal government.