Unemployment levels continued to fall in November, while seasonally adjusted hiring is up across the high desert. The Bend MSA (Deschutes County) posted its largest retail gains in November going back over ten years. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in all three Central Oregon counties in November.
Crook County posted the largest over-the-year drop of Oregon’s 36 counties down to 11.7 percent. The Bend MSA dropped to 9.1 percent and Jefferson County reached 10.2 percent. Nationally, unemployment declined in November to 7 percent. Oregon’s rate declined to 7.3 percent, the lowest level in over five years.
Crook County: Crook Countyexperienced a sharp drop in its seasonally adjusted unemployment ratein November, dropping to 11.7 percent from 12.1 percent in October. The county experienced the largest over-the-year drop of Oregon’s 36 counties down from 13.7 percent last November.
The county lost 150 jobs in November, which wasfewer than the loss of 160 jobs expected this time of year.
Monthly job losses were nearly split between the private (-70) and public sector (-80). Professional and business services shed 30 jobs from October. Seasonal decreases continued in federal government (-50); leisure and hospitality (-20); and construction (-20).
Crook County continues to show sustained over-the-year job gains. Private employment is up by 5.6 percent (+240) from last year, while government lost jobs. Nearly all private industries gained jobs over the past year with transportation, warehousing, and utilities leading the way with 90 new jobs. Other large gains were seen in wholesale trade (+50); manufacturing (+40); and educational and health services (+30).
Deschutes County (Bend MSA): Deschutes County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to drop, down to 9.1 percent in November from 9.4 percent in October. Over-the-year, Deschutes County posted the largest drop of Oregon’s metro areas. The November 2012 rate was 10.5 percent.
Preliminary estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the Bend metropolitan area show adecrease of 200 jobs in November.This represents a seasonally adjusted gain of 180 jobs.Retail trade posted significant gains, up 440 jobs from October, the county’s largest retail gains in November going back over ten years. Local government also posted significant gains in November, up 310 jobs. Seasonal decreases continued in leisure and hospitality (-480) and mining, logging, and construction (-190).
Over-the-yearDeschutes County gained 1,920 jobs. The private-sector continues to account for the majority of these gains (+1,870). All private industries experienced gains over the past year, except financial activities (-20). The largest gains were seen in professional and business services (+500); retail trade (+490); educational and health services (+310); and mining, logging, and construction (+280). 
Jefferson County:The seasonally adjusted unemployment ratedecreased in November to 10.2 percent, down from 10.4 percent in October.Over-the-year, Jefferson County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate droppedfrom the November 2012 rate of 11.9 percent, the second largest drop behind Crook County.
Jefferson County lost110 jobs in November when a loss of 60 jobs would typically be expected this time of year. The largest losses were seen Indian tribal government (-50) and leisure and hospitality (-40). Retail trade and manufacturing each added 10 jobs in November.
Over the past year, employment is up 140 jobs in Jefferson County. Manufacturing continues to lead the recovery, adding 120 jobs over-the-year.Other notable gains were seen in retail trade and leisure and hospitality, each up 70 jobs. Wholesale trade posted the only significant declines (-70) from last November.
A code change occurred in January 2013 where a firm was moved from local government to educational and health services. Due to this change a series break was created in total private, government, local government, and educational and health services. 2012 monthly figures in these industries are not comparable to 2013 monthly estimates.
These estimates will be revised as new data from businesses becomes available. The next Central Oregon Employment Situation with preliminary data for December2013will be released on Monday, January27th.
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