The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate did not change in Deschutes and Crook counties and fell slightly in Jefferson county in April. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April (8.5%) and the nation’s (8.1%) also dropped slightly from the previous month.
Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Crook County was 13.5 percent in April 2012. The rate did not change between March and April. One year ago in April 2011, the rate was 14.9 percent.
The county added 50 jobs last month. Typically the county adds roughly 80 jobs this time of year. The private sector added 40 jobs and the public sector added ten jobs.
In April, several private-sector industries posted small job gains: leisure and hospitality (+30); construction (+10); education and health services (+10); and mining and logging (+10). Three other industries reported small job losses: transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-10); wholesale trade (-10); and wood product manufacturing (-10).
Overall the public sector added ten jobs. Federal government and state government each added ten jobs while local government (which includes local education) lost ten jobs.
Last month, there were 130 more jobs in Crook County than one year before in April 2011.
Deschutes County (Bend MSA): In Deschutes County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 11 percent in April. The rate was unchanged from March’s revised rate of 11 percent. One year ago, the rate was 12.2 percent.
Between March and April, Deschutes County added just 30 jobs. Typically the county has added 980 jobs this time of year. This is the third month in a row that the county has added fewer than expected jobs.
The private sector added 60 jobs while government lost 30. Four private-sector industries added job last month: professional and business services (+190); mining, logging and construction (+150); leisure and hospitality (+140); and financial activities (+20).
Job losses in the private-sector were spread across five industries: retail trade (-260); education and health services (-160); information (-10); manufacturing (-10); and transportation, warehousing and utilities (-10).
Government lost 30 jobs overall. Federal government added 40 jobs and state government added ten jobs. Local government lost 80 jobs.
One year ago in April 2011, the county had 70 more jobs that it did in April 2012. The over-the-year job losses were concentrated in the private sector.
For many years, monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas were developed by Oregon Employment Department economists. These economists were also responsible for revising the initial sample-based estimates annually, based on more complete information from Oregon businesses. This revisions process is known as benchmarking.
In March 2011, responsibility for the monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas shifted to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The estimates developed by BLS are more heavily dependent on the sample of businesses and less reliant on knowledge of local economic events. They are also likely to demonstrate increased month-to-month variability.
BLS staff is also taking over responsibility for the annual benchmarking process. The results of this process will be reflected when revised data for 2010 and 2011 are released in February and March 2012.
Comments or questions should be directed to Graham Slater, Administrator of the Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce and Economic Research Division, at (503) 947-1212.
Jefferson County: In April the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Jefferson County was 12.2 percent. It was 0.2 percentage point lower than March’s revised rate of 12.4 percent. This was the ninth month in a row that the rate fell in Jefferson County and the lowest that the rate has been since November 2008. One year ago, the rate was 13.2 percent.
The county added 80 jobs last month. Typically the county adds about 90 jobs this time of year. The private sector added 50 jobs and the public sector added 30 jobs.
The job gains were spread evenly across nearly all private-sector industries. Only one private-sector industry reported job losses last month: mining and logging (-10).
All of the public sector job gains were reported in local government (+30).
Last month, in April 2012, the county had 110 more jobs that it did in April 2011.
hese estimates will be revised as new data from businesses becomes available. The next Central Oregon Employment Situation with preliminary data for April 2012 is scheduled to be released on Monday, May 21, 2012.
