Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.4 Percent in December

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in December 2015, down from 5.7 percent in November 2015. This decrease moves Oregon’s rate closer to the national level, and down significantly from last year’s December rate of 6.7 percent. 

Oregon added 2,300 jobs in December. Sectors with significant growth included manufacturing added (+1,100 jobs) and government (+800).

 “Oregon’s economy finished the year strong, adding 17,100 jobs in the last three months of 2015,” said Nick Beleiciks, Oregon’s state employment economist. “Job growth continues to be widespread, with most major sectors adding more jobs than they usually do this time of year.”

 Looking back over the most recent 12 months, Oregon’s economy grew rapidly, adding 54,600 jobs in 2015. Oregon’s 3.1 percent job growth rate was faster than the U.S. growth rate of 1.9 percent.

For more on this month's employment situation: Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.4 Percent in December