BEND, OR -- Deschutes County posted its 70th consecutive month of job gains, in May. The unemployment rate in Central Oregon’s largest county remained little changed from the month before, dropping from 3.6 to 3.5%. Deschutes County also posted big gains in the labor force, adding 5,000 employed residents in the past year.
Crook County’s jobless rate also remains at historic lows, falling .1% to 5.6%, last month. Compared to this time last year, the Employment Department says, there are about 110 additional jobs in nonfarm businesses in Crook County; about a 2% gain.
Jefferson County saw the biggest monthly improvement in May, hitting a new record low of 4.9%; that's .3% lower than in April. This time last year, Jefferson County's jobless rate was 7%. The county added 120 jobs, last month, which is fewer than the 170 typically expected this time of year.
