Oregon's Unemployment Rate Drops Below 9.0 Percent

Today the Oregon Employment Department reported on the December employment situation. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in December. That marks the first time since November 2008 that the state's unemployment rate fell below 9.0 percent. Meanwhile, the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 8.5 percent in December from 8.7 percent in November.

In December, 175,830 Oregonians were unemployed. This was 29,152 fewer unemployed individuals than in December 2010.
Oregon added 2,400 jobs beyond seasonal expectations in December. By industry, December job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (+2,700 jobs) and government (+1,700). Educational and health services (‐2,200 jobs) experienced the largest decline.

Get more information in the full news release, or visit the employment and unemployment data pages at QualityInfo!