Bend, Ore. – The State Employment Department says Deschutes County posted the largest monthly job losses on a seasonally adjusted basis since the recession.
The rate of job growth in Jefferson County was essentially cut in half from what it was just three months ago.
Meanwhile, Crook County has seen no substantive improvement to its employment picture over the past year.
Deschutes County (Bend-Redmond MSA): There continues to be little improvement to the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which remained essentially unchanged at 6.6 percent in September. The rate was down from this time last year when it was 7.5 percent, not a statistically significant decline.
Deschutes County posted significant job losses in September. The seasonally adjusted decline of 660 jobs last month represented the largest monthly decline since the recession. However, seasonally adjusted employment levels remain up significantly in 2015.
Jefferson County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 7.7 percent from 7.5 percent in August. Upward pressure on the unemployment rate is likely from new entrants into the labor market as the labor pool expands. The unemployment rate remains down significantly from last September (8.9%).
Jefferson County added 90 jobs in September, fairly typical gains for this time of year. Jefferson County’s employment levels remain up from last year, but the rate of job growth is slowing.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.8 percent in September. The rate was down from last year when it was 9.7 percent, not a statistically significant decline.
Crook County added 40 jobs in September; slightly less than the expected gain of 60 jobs this time of year. Monthly gains were concentrated in education with the beginning of the new school year.
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