South Coast Unemployment, March 27

Coos County’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate remained 5.9 percent. The rate is above that of February 2018 (5.5%). Oregon’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 4.4 percent; the national rate was 3.8 percent. The county’s total payroll employment increased over the month by 440 jobs, in part reflecting federal workers returning to work after the partial government shutdown. Additionally, the return of local education workers from the winter break in the school year added to this notable increase (+180). Other industries reporting over-the-month gains included professional and business services (+170); and leisure and hospitality (+40). Industries reporting over-the-year losses included manufacturing (-40, especially food manufacturing); trade, transportation, and utilities (-140); and construction (-30). Coos County reported no net job change over the year ending in February. However, professional and business services led the county with a gain of 270 jobs, a 13.8 percent annual growth rate. Curry County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.7 percent from a revised 6.9 percent in January. The rate is above the February 2018 rate (6.2%). Curry County’s total nonfarm payroll employment increased over the month by 60 jobs. Job gains were reported in leisure and hospitality (+40). No substantive over-the-month losses were reported. Curry County reported a loss of 30 jobs over the year ending in February, resulting in a 0.2 percent over-the-year job loss.