Employment in South Central Oregon: July 2018
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Unemployment rates for July 2018
The unemployment rate continues to decline in both Klamath and Lake counties, however the pace of job growth is also slowing. Klamath County’s total nonfarm employment rose by a modest 1.4 percent from July 2017, while Lake County’s employment situation is largely unchanged from last year.
Klamath County:
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to trend down in July. The rate was 5.7 percent in July, which was slightly lower than 5.9 percent in June. The unemployment rate is largely unchanged from this time last year when it was 5.8 percent.
Klamath County shed 560 jobs in July, fewer losses than typically expected this time of year. The monthly losses were largely concentrated in local education as payrolls dropped for summer break. Leisure and hospitality continued to add jobs in July (+70) as we approach the peak of the tourism season.
Total nonfarm employment is up by a modest 1.4 percent (+310 jobs) over the past year. Leisure and hospitality and health care continue to account for the majority of jobs gains. There continue to be slow, but steady declines in manufacturing. Local government, in particular, local schools posted notable job growth from last July.
Lake County:
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in July, down slightly from 5.2 percent in June. The rate is down from this time last year when it was 5.8 percent.
The employment situation was little changed in July, typically Lake County posts modest job growth in July. There has been little change to the employment situation over the past year with the total nonfarm employment total identical to this time last year. There was notable job growth in Leisure and hospitality (+30 jobs) and mining, logging, and construction (+20 jobs) from July 2017. Those gains were largely negated by job losses in trade, transportation, and utilities, as well as, public sector agencies.
Press release provided from the State of Oregon Employment Department.