South Coast Unemployment, Nov. 23

Coos County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 7.1 percent in October from a revised 7.2 percent in September. The rate is 0.3 percentage point below the October 2015 rate (7.4%).  Oregon’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 5. 3 percent; the national rate was 4.9 percent. The county’s payroll employment rose over the month by 60 jobs.  Transportation, warehousing, and utilities reported an over-the-month increase, up by 30 jobs. Other industries gaining jobs over the month included private education and health services (+20). Industries losing jobs over the month included leisure and hospitality (-120).  Coos County added 280 jobs over the year ending in October for a 1.3 percent annual growth rate. Industries with employment growth included transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+100); manufacturing (+50);leisure and hospitality (+50); construction (+40); and private education and health services (+20). Industries losing jobs over the year were professional and business services (-70); retail trade (-70); and mining and logging (-30).  Net government employment increased by 130 jobs over the year, primarily in local education (+80).  Curry County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained the same in October (7.5%) as it was in September.  The rate is 0.9 percentage point below the October 2015 rate (8.4%). The county’s payroll employment dropped over the month by 190 jobs. Reflecting seasonal shifts, industries losing jobs over the month included leisure and hospitality, where a 140 job loss took place primarily in accommodation and food service (-130), and construction (-30).