Portland, Central Oregon, and Southern Oregon Lead Job Growth in April

The Oregon Employment Department recently released unemployment rates and employment estimates for each of Oregon's 36 counties in April. Benton County (5.7%) had the lowest unemployment rate for the month, while Crook County (13.5%) had the highest rate. 

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose between April 2011 and April 2012 in four of Oregon’s six broad regions. The five counties in the Oregon portion of the Portland metro area led the way with a growth rate of 1.0 percent over the year. Smaller gains occurred in Central Oregon (0.8%), Southern Oregon (0.5%), and along the coast (0.3%). Eastern Oregon (-0.2%) experienced a small employment decline over the year. The Willamette Valley continued to struggle; the region posted a job loss of 1.0 percent since April 2011.

For more information about your local area, visit the current employment statistics and local area unemployment statistics pages at QualityInfo!