South Coast Unemployment, June 24

Coos County total payroll employment rose by 270 jobs in May. Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain with 200 jobs added. The start of Phase 2 re-opening allowing restaurants to again serve meals inside their doors allowed some recall of laid-off workers. Other sectors with estimated gains during the infancy of re-opening included education and health services, which added 160 jobs. Small gains were estimated in construction (+90) and manufacturing (+50). Government employment declined by 180 jobs with losses in local government education (-110) and local government excluding education and tribal (-50). Over the year total payroll employment fell by 3,190 jobs, or a drop of 13.7 percent. The largest decline, accounting for over one-third of total job losses, was in leisure and hospitality (-1,170). Job losses were widespread outside of a few jobs gained over the year in financial activities (+30) and general merchandise stores (+20). Sectors with substantial job loss also included professional and business services (-300); education and health services (-220); retail trade (-180); and manufacturing (-170). Government employment fell by 790 over the year with losses estimated in local education (-360); Indian tribal (-270); and non-tribal, noneducation local government (-110). Curry County trends were similar, with 130 jobs added over the month and 70 of those in leisure and hospitality. Gains were also estimated in private education and health services (+30). Small gains in a few other industries contributed to the overall gain. Over the year, total payroll employment fell by 1,110 jobs, down 16.5 percent. Large declines occurred in leisure and hospitality jobs (-640) along with losses in private education and health services (-160); retail trade (-80); and professional and business services (-50) since May 2019. Employment in construction (-40) and mining and logging (-30) also fell over the year. Manufacturing employment rose by 20 jobs over the year.