Coos County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in March to 5.2 percent from a revised 5.5 percent in February. The rate is 1.4 percentage points below the March 2016 rate (6.6%). Oregon’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, a record low; the national rate was 4.5 percent. The county’s total payroll employment increased over the month by 90 jobs. Industries reporting gains included leisure and hospitality (+40) and trade, transportation, and utilities (+30). There were no significant over-the-month employment losses. Curry County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in March to 6.0 percent from a revised 6.1 percent in February. The rate is 1.1 percentage points below the March 2016 rate (7.1%).
