Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February and March. For 15 consecutive months, the rate has been close to 4.1 percent, its lowest level since comparable records began in 1976. The U.S. unemployment rate was also 4.1 percent in both February and March. The economy continues to expand as reflected by record highs in Oregon’s civilian labor force (2,132,000 individuals) and total employment (2,043,000 individuals). In March, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,200 jobs, following a revised gain of 700 jobs in February. Recent growth was somewhat stronger than during much of 2016 and 2017 when growth averaged 3,700 jobs per month.
