COUNTY PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DECREASED 140 JOBS IN APRIL

May 23, 2024 3:30 a.m. 

Douglas County’s payroll employment decreased by a seasonally adjusted 140 jobs in April after a gain of 100 in March and a loss of 20 in February.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in April, there were increases of 100 in leisure and hospitality, and 20 each in financial activities and other services. There were small losses of 20 each in retail trade, and professional and business services.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said government gained 40 jobs in April, from gains of 10 in federal government and 30 in local government.

Rooney said when comparing April 2024 with April 2023, total nonfarm employment increased 60 jobs 0.2 percent. Private-sector over-the-year gains of 170 were seen in private education and health services, with 90 jobs added in construction and 60 gained in the other services category. There were relatively large losses of 180 in professional and business services, and 70 each in manufacturing, wholesale trade and retail trade.

OED said government gained 160 jobs over the year from gains of 120 in local government, 30 in federal government and 10 in state government.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 5.0 percent in April, compared with a revised 5.1 percent in March. The rate is up from 4.5 percent in April 2023. Douglas County’s record low unemployment rate was set in October 2019 at 4.3 percent. The Oregon seasonally adjusted April rate was 4.2 percent, and the U.S. rate was 3.9 percent.