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Nearly 1 in 10 workers are unemployed in Douglas County, a level of inactivity in the labor force not seen since 2004.
Ripples from the national subprime mortgage meltdown continue to affect the economy, with the majority of lost jobs tied to the housing market — the wood products industry, manufacturing, transportation and construction. For January and February, the unemployment rate hovered around 9.8 percent.
According to figures from the Oregon Employment Department released Monday, an estimated 4,714 are jobless in a county work force of 48,117.
For seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates, Douglas County’s rate is almost twice the national rate of 5.2 percent, and still much higher than the state rate of 6.4 percent.
In February 2007, Douglas County’s unemployment rate was 9.2 percent.
Brian Rooney, regional economist for the Employment Department, said 130 jobs have been lost in the wood products sector over the past year. But that’s not counting the 280 jobs lost in the same sector between 2006 and 2007.
“The downturn started in late 2006,” he said. “We know, if you go back a little further, there were more losses.”
The temporary layoffs earlier this month by the Swanson Group Inc. of Glendale have not been figured into the latest numbers, Rooney said.
In February, the county lost 20 jobs in construction and 30 in retail — mainly seasonal positions.
About 260 construction jobs, however, remain in the county, a steady figure from where the building boom left off two years ago.
“It’s flat,” Rooney said, explaining there hasn’t been that many construction jobs lost.
Manufacturing rebounded from January’s figures by adding 20 jobs.
Seasonally, 190 jobs were expected to be added to nonfarm payrolls in February, but only 90 were added. However, the month saw 240 more nonfarm than the same time last year.
Gains were recorded in financial positions, with 10 jobs added; leisure and hospitality, 10 jobs; and 10 jobs in various services.
Meanwhile, losses were recorded in the transportation, warehousing and utilities sectors, at 20 jobs; and 30 jobs in professional and business services.
Government positions increased by 140 last month — 130 of those were in local government due to a seasonal gain.
Unemployment figures in February from other Southern Oregon counties fared similarly to Douglas County’s rate, with Klamath County posting 10.4 percent unemployment and Josephine County posting 9.4 percent.
Jackson County, however, posted 7.7 percent.
Employment Department figures show 123,533 Oregonians were unemployed in February, compared to 113,738 a year before.
• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.
Ripples from the national subprime mortgage meltdown continue to affect the economy, with the majority of lost jobs tied to the housing market — the wood products industry, manufacturing, transportation and construction. For January and February, the unemployment rate hovered around 9.8 percent.
According to figures from the Oregon Employment Department released Monday, an estimated 4,714 are jobless in a county work force of 48,117.
For seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates, Douglas County’s rate is almost twice the national rate of 5.2 percent, and still much higher than the state rate of 6.4 percent.
In February 2007, Douglas County’s unemployment rate was 9.2 percent.
Brian Rooney, regional economist for the Employment Department, said 130 jobs have been lost in the wood products sector over the past year. But that’s not counting the 280 jobs lost in the same sector between 2006 and 2007.
“The downturn started in late 2006,” he said. “We know, if you go back a little further, there were more losses.”
The temporary layoffs earlier this month by the Swanson Group Inc. of Glendale have not been figured into the latest numbers, Rooney said.
In February, the county lost 20 jobs in construction and 30 in retail — mainly seasonal positions.
About 260 construction jobs, however, remain in the county, a steady figure from where the building boom left off two years ago.
“It’s flat,” Rooney said, explaining there hasn’t been that many construction jobs lost.
Manufacturing rebounded from January’s figures by adding 20 jobs.
Seasonally, 190 jobs were expected to be added to nonfarm payrolls in February, but only 90 were added. However, the month saw 240 more nonfarm than the same time last year.
Gains were recorded in financial positions, with 10 jobs added; leisure and hospitality, 10 jobs; and 10 jobs in various services.
Meanwhile, losses were recorded in the transportation, warehousing and utilities sectors, at 20 jobs; and 30 jobs in professional and business services.
Government positions increased by 140 last month — 130 of those were in local government due to a seasonal gain.
Unemployment figures in February from other Southern Oregon counties fared similarly to Douglas County’s rate, with Klamath County posting 10.4 percent unemployment and Josephine County posting 9.4 percent.
Jackson County, however, posted 7.7 percent.
Employment Department figures show 123,533 Oregonians were unemployed in February, compared to 113,738 a year before.
• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.
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