Coos County’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate remained the same as the revised 5.5 percent in February. The rate is slightly above the March 2017 rate (5.4%). Oregon’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.1 percent; the national rate was also 4.1 percent. The county’s total nonfarm payroll employment increased over the month by 80 jobs, primarily in leisure and hospitality (+50), and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+20). Industries reporting over-the-month employment losses included private education and health services. Coos County gained 60 jobs over the year ending in March for a 0.3 percent annual growth rate. Curry County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained the same as the revised 6.2 percent in February. The rate is slightly above the March 2017 rate of 6.0 percent. Curry County’s total nonfarm payroll employment remained virtually unchanged over the month resulting in a 0.5 percent over-the-year growth rate. Leisure and hospitality reported gaining 40 jobs, primarily in accommodation and food services. There were no reported substantive over-the-month private sector losses. Curry County reported a gain of 30 jobs over the year ending in March.
