May 6, 2026 3:40 a.m. 

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment rate was little changed at 6.2 percent in March, compared with a revised February rate of 6.3 percent.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said over the year, the county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.7 percent in March 2025. The Oregon rate was 5.2 percent, and the U.S. rate was 4.3 percent in March.

Regional Economist Guy Tauer said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment fell by 20 jobs in March after a loss of 70 in February and a loss of 100 in January.

Tower said in the not seasonally adjusted private sector industries in March, there was a loss of 20 in wood products manufacturing. Leisure and hospitality added 50 over the month while other industries showed little employment change.

OED said government was unchanged in March with gains of 40 in federal and 10 in state that were offset by a loss of 50 in local government, which was mostly education jobs.

When comparing March 2026 with March 2025, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was essentially flat. There were private-sector over-the-year gains of 50 jobs in education and health services, leisure and hospitality and the construction category as well. There were losses of 220 in manufacturing, 70 in financial activities, and of 40 in both information and professional and business services.

Government added 120 jobs over the year in March due to gains of 80 in local education, and of 20 in the Indian tribal and federal government categories.