Central Oregon – The unemployment rate increased slightly last month across Central Oregon for the second consecutive month, according to a report released this week by the Oregon Employment Department.
Regional Economist Damon Runberg said the uptick was driven primarily by growth in the labor force, due to college grads and new arrivals to the region.
In Deschutes County, the seasonally adjusted rate rose from 5.1 percent in June to 5.4 percent in July. In July, the rate stood at 6 percent. The county added 1, 530 jobs in July.
Crook County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.3 percent in July, up from 7 percent in June.
Jefferson County saw higher-than-expected job losses in July, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 6.7 percent in June to 7 percent in July. In July 2015, the rate stood at 7.4 percent.
